He Came Too Late

He came too late!—Neglect had tried Her constancy too long; Her love had yielded to her pride, And the deep sense of wrong. She scorned the offering of a heart Which lingered on its way, Till it could no delight impart, Nor spread one cheering ray. He came too late!—At once he felt That all his power was o’er: Indifference in her calm smile dwelt— She thought of him no more. Anger and grief had passed away, Her heart and thoughts were free; She met him, and her words were gay— No spell had Memory. He came too late!—The subtle chords Of love were all unbound, Not by offence of spoken words, But by the slights that wound. She knew that life held nothing now That could the past repay; Yet she disdained his tardy vow, And coldly turned away. He came too late!—Her countless dreams Of hope had long since flown; No charms dwelt in his chosen themes, Nor in his whispered tone. And when, with word and smile, he tried Affection still to prove, She nerved her heart with woman’s pride, And spurned his fickle love.