Our faces paled and we trembled there,
Watching the shadows dance on the wall;
Wealth, Fame and Love--we had missed them all,
And Sorrow's chalice had been our share.

But there was hope and we still had life,
And hearts are brave that the years have tried;
We looked in each other's eyes and sighed,
Sad, pain-filled eyes, but free of strife.

Dance on, gaunt shadows, beside the wall,
We shrink from you in your cruel mirth;
But what are _you_ and the dreams of Earth?
Our hard-won peace is worth them all.



AT AN OLD TRYSTING-PLACE

Where, dearest, fare thy feet this summer eve?
Hast found a pasture green in which to tread,
Beside refreshing waters art thou led,
Content beyond my powers to conceive?
Does overflowing cup thy thirst relieve,
With princely feast hast thou thy hunger fed,
Uplifted high is thine anointed head,
Among thy kind dost thou esteem receive?

I pray 'tis so; and evermore shall be,