Oh, never a word he answered, <br />And never a word spake she! <br />They turned their faces each from each, <br />And looked upon the sea. <br /> <br /> <br />The hands that cannot clasp for life, <br />Must quickly severed be. <br />The love that is not large enough <br />To live eternally, <br /> <br /> <br />In true love's name, for fair love's fame, <br />Must die before its bloom; <br />For it, in all God's earth or heaven, <br />There is no garden-room. <br /> <br /> <br />Though all the wine of life be lost, <br />Try well the red grape's hue. <br />Holy the soul that cannot taste <br />The false love for the true. <br /> <br /> <br />And blessed aye the fainting heart <br />For such a thirst shall be- <br />Yet never a word they spoke, and looked <br />Upon the bitter sea.<br /><br />Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/parted-8/
