TWO travellers, worn with sun and rain br And gropings o'er dim paths unknown, br Meet where long separate ways have grown br To one, and then diverge again. br br They halt anigh the green wayside, br Where groves pant with the impassioned song br Of nightingales; wild roses throng br There round them leaning side by side. br br As close and still more close they cling, br Like some weird tale--once more in dreams br Lived through with ghastlier horror--seems br That old, cold, lonely wayfairing. br br Oh close sweet clasp of hands! oh sweet br Close beat of heart on happy heart; br Beating as though no more apart br Their pulses ever again should beat! br br One look of love! one long embrace! br One kiss that welds two lives in one! br And lo, the sudden lifted sun br Lights their slow feet on separate ways. br br Fledged by strong love, their wingèd speech br Is borne awhile from soul to soul, br Then ever-widening waters roll br And drown their voices each from each.