Two lovers by a moss-grown spring: <br />They leaned soft cheeks together there, <br />Mingled the dark and sunny hair, <br />And heard the wooing thrushes sing. <br />O budding time! <br />O love's blest prime! <br /> <br />Two wedded from the portal stept: <br />The bells made happy carolings, <br />The air was soft as fanning wings, <br />White petals on the pathway slept. <br />O pure-eyed bride! <br />O tender pride! <br /> <br />Two faces o'er a cradle bent: <br />Two hands above the head were locked: <br />These pressed each other while they rocked, <br />Those watched a life that love had sent. <br />O solemn hour! <br />O hidden power! <br /> <br />Two parents by the evening fire: <br />The red light fell about their knees <br />On heads that rose by slow degrees <br />Like buds upon the lily spire. <br />O patient life! <br />O tender strife! <br /> <br />The two still sat together there, <br />The red light shone about their knees; <br />But all the heads by slow degrees <br />Had gone and left that lonely pair. <br />O voyage fast! <br />O vanished past! <br /> <br />The red light shone upon the floor <br />And made the space between them wide; <br />They drew their chairs up side by side, <br />Their pale cheeks joined, and said, "Once more!" <br />O memories! <br />O past that is!<br /><br />George Eliot<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/two-lovers/
