You would have understood me, had you waited; <br />I could have loved you, dear! as well as he: <br />Had we not been impatient, dear! and fated <br />Always to disagree. <br /> <br />What is the use of speech? Silence were fitter: <br />Lest we should still be wishing things unsaid. <br />Though all the words we ever spake were bitter, <br />Shall I reproach you dead? <br /> <br />Nay, let this earth, your portion, likewise cover <br />All the old anger, setting us apart: <br />Always, in all, in truth was I your lover; <br />Always, I held your heart. <br /> <br />I have met other women who were tender, <br />As you were cold, dear! with a grace as rare. <br />Think you, I turned to them, or made surrender, <br />I who had found you fair? <br /> <br />Had we been patient, dear! ah, had you waited, <br />I had fought death for you, better than he: <br />But from the very first, dear! we were fated <br />Always to disagree. <br /> <br />Late, late, I come to you, now death discloses <br />Love that in life was not to be our part: <br />On your low lying mound between the roses, <br />Sadly I cast my heart. <br /> <br />I would not waken you: nay! this is fitter; <br />Death and the darkness give you unto me; <br />Here we who loved so, were so cold and bitter, <br />Hardly can disagree.<br /><br />Ernest Christopher Dowson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/you-would-have-understood-me-had-you-waited/
