WHEN OUR TWO SOULS

1 When our two souls stand up erect and strong,
2 Face to face, silent, drawing nigh and nigher,
3 Until the lengthening wings break into fire
4 At either curvéd point, -- what bitter wrong
5 Can the earth do to us, that we should not long
6 Be here contented ? Think. In mounting higher,
7 The angels would press on us, and aspire
8 To drop some golden orb of perfect song
9 Into our deep, dear silence. Let us stay
10 Rather on earth, Belovèd, -- where the unfit
11 Contrarious moods of men recoil away
12 And isolate pure spirits, and permit
13 A place to stand and love in for a day,
14 With darkness and the death-hour rounding it.