We saw the swallows gathering in the sky, <br />And in the osier-isle we heard them noise. <br />We had not to look back on summer joys, <br />Or forward to a summer of bright dye: <br />But in the largeness of the evening earth <br />Our spirits grew as we went side by side. <br />The hour became her husband and my bride. <br />Love that had robbed us so, thus blessed our dearth! <br />The pilgrims of the year waxed very loud <br />In multitudinous chatterings, as the flood <br />Full brown came from the West, and like pale blood <br />Expanded to the upper crimson cloud. <br />Love that had robbed us of immortal things, <br />This little moment mercifully gave, <br />Where I have seen across the twilight wave <br />The swan sail with her young beneath her wings.<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/modern-love-xlvii-we-saw-the-swallows/
