| WHEN you and I have play'd the little hour, | |
| Have seen the tall subaltern Life to Death | |
| Yield up his sword; and, smiling, draw the breath, | |
| The first long breath of freedom; when the flower | |
| Of Recompense hath flutter'd to our feet, | 5 |
| As to an actor's; and, the curtain down, | |
| We turn to face each other all alone— | |
| Alone, we two, who never yet did meet, | |
| Alone, and absolute, and free: O then, | |
| O then, most dear, how shall be told the tale? | 10 |
| Clasp'd hands, press'd lips, and so clasp'd hands again; | |
| No words. But as the proud wind fills the sail, | |
| My love to yours shall reach, then one deep moan | |
| Of joy, and then our infinite Alone. | |