O loaded curls, release your store Of warmth and scent, as once before The tingling hair did, lights and darks Outbreaking into fairy sparks When under curl and curl I pried After the warmth and scent inside, Through lights and darks how manifold--The dark inspired, the light controlled! As early Art embrowned the gold. What great fear--should one say, "Three days That change the world might change as well Your fortune; and if joy delays, Be happy that no worse befell." What small fear--if another says, "Three days and one short night beside May throw no shadow on your ways; But years must teem with change untried, With chance not easily defied, With an end somewhere undescried." No fear!--or if a fear be born This minute, it dies out in scorn. Fear? I shall see her in three days And one night,--now the nights are short,-- Then just two hours, and that is morn. IN A YEAR Never any more, While I live, Need I hope to see his face As before. Once his love grown chill, Mine may strive: Bitterly we re-embrace, Single still. Was it something said, Something done, Vexed him? was it touch of hand, Turn of head? Strange! that very way Love begun: I as little understand Love's decay. When I sewed or drew, I recall How he looked as if I sung,-- Sweetly too. If I spoke a word, First of all Up his cheek the color sprung, Then he heard. Sitting by my side, At my feet, So he breathed but air I breathed, Satisfied! I, too, at love's brim Touched the sweet: I would die if death bequeathed Sweet to him. "Speak, I love thee best!" He exclaimed: "Let thy love my own foretell!" I confessed: "Clasp my heart on thine Now unblamed, Since upon thy soul as well Hangeth mine!" Was it wrong to own, Being truth? Why should all the giving prove His alone? I had wealth and ease, Beauty, youth: Since my lover gave me love, I gave these. That was all I meant,-- To be just, And the passion I had raised To content. Since he chose to change Gold for dust, If I gave him what he praised Was it strange? Would he loved me yet, On and on, While I found some way undreamed-- Paid my debt! Gave more life and more, Till all gone, He should smile--"She never seemed Mine before.