IF, coming from that unknown sphere br Where I believe thou art,-- br The world unseen which girds our world br So close, yet so apart,-- br Thy soul's soft call unto my soul br Electrical could reach, br And mortal and immortal blend br In one familiar speech,-- br br What wouldst thou say to me? wouldst ask br What, since did me befall? br Or close this chasm of cruel years br Between us--knowing all? br Wouldst love me--thy pure eyes seeing that br God only saw beside? br O, love me! 'T was so hard to live, br So easy to have died. br br If, while this dizzy whirl of life br A moment pausing stayed, br I face to face with thee could stand, br I would not be afraid: br Not though from heaven to heaven thy feet br In glad ascent have trod, br While mine took through earth's miry ways br Their solitary road. br br We could not lose each other. World br On world piled ever higher br Would part like banked clouds, lightning-cleft br By our two souls' desire. br Life ne'er divided us; death tried, br But could not; Love's voice fine br Called luring through the dark--then ceased, br And I am wholly thine.