In the whole wide world there was but one, <br />Others for others, but she was mine, <br />The one fair woman beneath the sun. <br /> <br />From her gold-flax curls' most marvellous shine <br />Down to the lithe and delicate feet <br />There was not a curve nor a waving line <br /> <br />But moved in a harmony firm and sweet <br />With all of passion my life could know. <br />By knowledge perfect and faith complete <br /> <br />I was bound to her, as the planets go <br />Adoring around their central star, <br />Free, but united for weal or woe. <br /> <br />She was so near and Heaven so far- <br />She grew my heaven and law and fate <br />Rounding my life with a mystic bar <br /> <br />No thought beyond could violate. <br />Our love to fulness in silence nursed <br />Grew calm as morning, when through the gate <br /> <br />Of the glimmering East the sun has burst, <br />With his hot life filling the waiting air. <br />She kissed me once, that last and first <br /> <br />Of her maiden kisses was placid as prayer. <br />Against all comers I sat with lance <br />In rest, and, drunk with my joy, I sware <br /> <br />Defiance and scorn to the world's worst chance. <br />In vain! for soon unhorsed I lay <br />At the feet of the strong god Circumstance- <br /> <br />And never again shall break the day, <br />And never again shall fall the night <br />That shall light me, or shield me, on my way <br /> <br />To the presence of my sad soul's delight. <br />Her dead love comes like a passionate ghost <br />To mourn the Body it held so light, <br /> <br />And Fate, like a hound with a purpose lost, <br />Goes round bewildered with shame and fright.<br /><br />John Hay<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/una/
