I THEY stood on either side the gate -- Though fastened with the hands of fate A touch might lift the latch's weight. The moonlight, with a faded grace, Fell o'er the whiteness of her face Like some soiled veil of bridal lace. The fan she held went fluttering About her mouth on restless wing As though it were a wounded thing. And in her breast an ache of dread Held back the word she would have said, And sent a weary sigh instead. II He waited, with his eager eyes Half muffled in a weak disguise Of carelessness and cold surprise. Within his breast he heard the moan: "How desolate and all alone, And pitiless my heart has grown!" And yet a nameless ache of dread Held back the word he would have said, And sent a weary sign instead. The long, black shadows of the trees Whose branches wavered in the breeze, Fell o'er them like their destinies. They parted. Yet the wild wind saith That two fair ghosts with failing breath Walk hand in hand the path of death. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BALLAD WHICH ANNE ASKEW MADE AND SANG WHEN SHE WAS IN NEWGATE by ANNE ASKEWE WHEN MY SHIP COMES IN by ROBERT JONES BURDETTE THE ANGEL IN THE HOUSE: BOOK 2. CANTO 8. PRELUDE: THE KISS by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE KITTY NEIL by JOHN FRANCIS WALLER SONNET: EGYPT by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH BOTHWELL: PART 5 by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN THE PRIDE OF BEAUTY by PIERRE JEAN DE BERANGER |