Listening, hoping for one hand groping,
In deep shadow, to find the latch."

After the dark and before the light,
One lay sleeping, and one sat weeping,
Who had watched and wept the weary night.

After the night and before the day,
One lay sleeping; and one sat weeping--
Watching, weeping for one away.

There came a footstep climbing the stair,
Some one standing out on the landing
Shook the door like a puff of air.--

Shook the door and in he passed.
Did he enter? In the room center
Stood her husband; the door shut fast.

"O Robin, but you are cold--
Chilled with the night-dew; so lily white you
Look like a stray lamb from our fold.

"O Robin, but you are late:
Come and sit near me--sit here and cheer me."--
(Blue the flame burnt in the grate.)

"Lay not down your head on my breast:
I cannot hold you, kind wife, nor fold you
In the shelter that you love best.