Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume II. Love. 1904. | | | | V. Cautions and Complaints | | Forever Unconfessed | | Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton (1809–1885) |
| | | THEY seemed to those who saw them meet | |
| The worldly friends of every day, | |
| Her smile was undisturbed and sweet, | |
| His courtesy was free and gay. | |
| |
| But yet if one the other’s name | 5 |
| In some unguarded moment heard, | |
| The heart you thought so calm and tame, | |
| Would struggle like a captured bird: | |
| |
| And letters of mere formal phrase | |
| Were blistered with repeated tears,— | 10 |
| And this was not the work of days, | |
| But had gone on for years and years! | |
| |
| Alas, that Love was not too strong | |
| For maiden shame and manly pride! | |
| Alas, that they delayed too long | 15 |
| The goal of mutual bliss beside. | |
| |
| Yet what chance could then reveal, | |
| And neither would be first to own, | |
| Let fate and courage now conceal, | |
| When truth could bring remorse alone. | 20 | | | |
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