Classic Poem

I

Snatched from the greedy hand of ruthless Time,
We saved one hour of golden afternoon.
Oh! Love, it seemed our hearts, as one, did chime
In subtle symphony; and so in tune
Our spirits were, that speech was hardly part
Of the deep language of the happy heart.

II

The sunset lingered in the misty sky,
Till dim cloud shadows in the water grew,
And lilting reed-birds from the rushes, by
The gliding stream, across our vision flew,
With low, sweet cries, as though to thrill the ear
With the close thought that Nature was so near.

III

We seemed in unison with bird and flower,
At one with all the soft and sensuous light;
I thought of Danae in her golden shower
And felt the God had claimed me as his right —
The terrible, strong God whom men call Love,
Who rules " the Earth below, the Heavens above! "

IV

And yet, in that sweet hour, the Soul was king!
And held the heart in pure and potent sway, —
And we can ever to that memory bring
The grateful knowledge that our perfect day,
With all its essence of a mortal union,
Was touched with high and Heavenly communion.