Another has your fancy from me captured; Her lot,--Fate’s tenderer impulse to know. Whilst I, adown the years waiting the facing, Alone, must go. No thought is mine save that bequeaths a blessing;-- God grant your life be a long, happy day. You have forgotten, but I must remember,-- We met in May. I TURN ME DOWN A LIGHTED WAY I turn me down a lighted way Where laughter rings and song floats out; And, as I gain the happy throng, All eagerly they flock about. I smile on this side, and on that, Join the gay flow of repartee: Yet, deep, deep down, within my heart Echoes the endless moan for thee. I hark to him who compliments, Within my eyes a sparkling light. I play the game,--nor does he guess Its fire has burned to ashes white. They count me merriest of all. Not one who notes the deep-down sigh, Who lists--Life’s tragic undertone,-- _We’ve said good-bye--we’ve said good-bye_. COUNSEL Have you balked at the test you’ve been put to, Are you weary of straining a point? Is the fight too hard, the way too long? Is there too much of sighing, too little of song? Does ev’ry thing seem to be going wrong? The scheme entire, as it were, out of joint? Then lend me an ear whilst I counsel awhile, You must take a _fresh_ grip, my friend, The game is yours if you’ll make it your own, Defeat is a word that need never be known. He who _sticks_ in his mount, _cannot_ be thrown, Let his steed strive its best to that end. The sun goes down with the gloom of each night, But it rises again with each morn, And there’s so much of brightness to be gathered in, Such wonderful happiness ours to win, Throw despair to the winds, and anew begin, Standing forth--the Mortal re-born! DECISION At times, I think, were we to talk it over The something wanting in your life and mine, We might arrive at clearer understanding The cause of our unhappiness define. Yet, ever with the impulse strong upon me Such course to follow out as for the best, Comes swift the contradictory impression,-- ’Twould useless be to put it to the test. That sympathy which pleads when souls are mated Is the so woefully lacking,--’tis clear, It could not prove aught else than effort wasted,-- You are so far,--to try and draw you near. YOU NEVER GUESSED THE SECRET You never guessed the secret, Nor have unto to-day. The truth of it never reached you, I hid it so well away. The truth of how I loved you, Yet spake not, for your sake; Nor is it easy to put aside What One so longs to take.