No need to talk.... For in their eyes they met, Treading an air so soft, so light, so fine, That they were speechless, words they could forget; They only smiled, and shyly sipped their wine, And smiled again, and felt their full hearts shine, Talked breathlessly a little, and longed to lean Nearer, more near,--till no mote lay between,-- Not light or darkness, world or heaven or star, Not wind, nor warm, nor cold ... but just they two Meeting at last, two spirits come from far, Face raised to face, white flowers made sweet with dew,-- Shining and passionate, and young and new,-- Their two warm bodies singing each to each, Mingling at last in love’s harmonious speech.... The lights, the noise, the tumult passed away; As in a dream without a sound they passed; She only knew that it was wildly gay, And shy, and bliss unbearable.... At last Under the high dark starward-gliding mast In grateful night they sat; he brought her coat And trembling wrapped the scarf around her throat; Letting his fingers linger there a space, Longer than there was need, so sweet she smiled, So close they were to that soft wistful face.... The stars looked down upon them, clear and mild.... Woman and maiden, girl, and little child,-- She was all these.... A moment, he was shaken,-- Lest he do wrong, lest he might prove mistaken.... Only a moment ... passion rose again, Quiet he took her hand and held it long, And all her virgin heart grew big with pain, And all her new-born body ached with song. Blindly she prayed to God to make her strong,-- More blindly cried to earth to make her weak; And looked at him, near tears, and could not speak. He was a loveliness she could not bear.... Like a fierce furnace seemed his beauty now.... A fire that caught her throat, her lips, her hair, Her parching eyes, her pained and beating brow. Only to give herself,--she cared not how.-- Into the flame, body and soul to fling; To have him hurt her,--ah, divinest thing!... Four bells were struck: ’twas ten o’clock he said; And still the sea rushed past, under the night. The engines toiled and the great steamer sped; And they could see the bow-wash, dimly white, Fall into darkness; the mast-head light Quivered among the stars, and in its fire A span of fore-stay shone like golden wire.... Little by little they were left alone, The decks were emptied; only, from the bar, Came shouts and laughter, and a drunkard’s groan, The glasses clinking, and a strummed guitar, The door shut, and the sounds grew faint and far, And all the deck was dark; only the sea Lifted its great voice, like infinity.