At last we parley: we so strangely dumb <br /> In such a close communion! It befell <br /> About the sounding of the Matin-bell, <br /> And lo! her place was vacant, and the hum <br /> Of loneliness was round me. Then I rose, <br /> And my disordered brain did guide my foot <br /> To that old wood where our first love-salute <br /> Was interchanged: the source of many throes! <br /> There did I see her, not alone. I moved <br /> Toward her, and made proffer of my arm. <br /> She took it simply, with no rude alarm; <br /> And that disturbing shadow passed reproved. <br /> I felt the pained speech coming, and declared <br /> My firm belief in her, ere she could speak. <br /> A ghastly morning came into her cheek, <br /> While with a widening soul on me she stared.<br /><br />George Meredith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/modern-love-xlvi/
