Unforgotten

Do you ever think of me? you who diedEre our Youth's first fervour chilled,With your soft eyes and your pulses stilledLying alone, aside,Do you ever think of me, left in the light,From the endless calm of your dawnless night?

I am faithful always: I do not sayThat the lips which thrilled to your lips of oldTo lesser kisses are always cold;Had you wished for this in its narrow senseOur love perhaps had been less intense;But as we held faithfulness, you and I,I am faithful always, as you who lie,Asleep for ever, beneath the grass,While the days and nights and the seasons pass,--Pass away.

I keep your memory near my heart,My brilliant, beautiful guiding Star,Till long life over, I too departTo the infinite night where perhaps you are.

Oh, are you anywhere? Loved so well!I would rather know you alive in HellThan think your beauty is nothing now,With its deep dark eyes and tranquil browWhere the hair fell softly. Can this be trueThat nothing, nowhere, exists of you?Nothing, nowhere, oh, loved so wellI have never forgotten.Do you still keepThoughts of me through your dreamless sleep?

Oh, gone from me! lost in Eternal Night,Lost Star of light,Risen splendidly, set so soon,Through the weariness of life's afternoonI dream of your memory yet.My loved and lost, whom I could not save,My youth went down with you to the grave,Though other planets and stars may rise,I dream of your soft and sorrowful eyesAnd I cannot forget.