A Little While I Fain Would Linger Yet

A little while (my life is almost set!)   I fain would pause along the downward way,   Musing an hour in this sad sunset-ray, While, Sweet! our eyes with tender tears are wet: A little hour I fain would linger yet. A little while I fain would linger yet,   All for love’s sake, for love that cannot tire;   Though fervid youth be dead, with youth’s desire, And hope has faded to a vague regret, A little while I fain would linger yet. A little while I fain would linger here:   Behold! who knows what strange, mysterious bars   ’Twixt souls that love may rise in other stars? Nor can love deem the face of death is fair: A little while I still would linger here. A little while I yearn to hold thee fast,   Hand locked in hand, and loyal heart to heart;   (O pitying Christ! those woeful words, “We part!”) So ere the darkness fall, the light be past, A little while I fain would hold thee fast. A little while, when light and twilight meet,—   Behind, our broken years; before, the deep   Weird wonder of the last unfathomed sleep,— A little while I still would clasp thee, Sweet, A little while, when night and twilight meet. A little while I fain would linger here;   Behold! who knows what soul-dividing bars   Earth’s faithful loves may part in other stars? Nor can love deem the face of death is fair: A little while I still would linger here.