Quis Separabit?

All my life's short years had been stern and sterile —
  I stood like one whom the blasts blow back —
As with shipmen whirled through the straits of Peril,
  So fierce foes menaced my every track.

But I steeled my soul to a strong endeavour,
  I bared my brow as the sharp strokes fell,
And I said to my heart — "Hope on! Hope ever:
  Have Courage — Courage, and all is well."

Then, bright as the blood in my heart's rich chalice,
  O Blossom, Blossom! — you came from far;
And life rang joy, till the World's loud malice
  Shrilled to the edge of our utmost star.

And I said: "On me let the rough storms hurtle,
  The great clouds gather and shroud my sun —
But you shall be Queen where the rose and myrtle
  Laugh with the year till the year is done."

So my Dream fell dead; and the fluctuant passion —
  The stress and strain of the past re-grew,
The world laughed on in its heedless fashion,
  But Earth whirled worthless, because of you!

In that Lake of Tears which my grief discovered,
  I laid dead Love with a passionate kiss,
And over those soundless depths has hovered
  The sweet, sad wraith of my vanished bliss.

Heart clings to Heart — let the strange years sever
  The fates of two who had met — to part;
Love's strength survives, and the harsh world never
  Shall crush the passion of heart for heart;

For I know my life, though it droop and dwindle,
  Shall leave me Love till I fade and die,
And when hereafter our Souls re-kindle,
  Who shall be fonder — You or I?