Thomas Hardy — Unknowing

When, soul in soul reflected, We breathed an aethered air,        &nbsp When we neglected        &nbsp All things elsewhere, And left the friendly friendless To keep our love aglow,        &nbsp We deemed it endless . . .        &nbsp —We did not know! When, by mad passion goaded, We planned to hie away,        &nbsp But, unforeboded,        &nbsp The storm-shafts gray So heavily down-pattered That none could forthward go,        &nbsp Our lives seemed shattered . . .        &nbsp —We did not know! When I found you, helpless lying, And you waived my deep misprise,        &nbsp And swore me, dying,        &nbsp In phantom-guise To wing to me when grieving, And touch away my woe,        &nbsp We kissed, believing . . .        &nbsp —We did not know! But though, your powers outreckoning, You hold you dead and dumb,        &nbsp Or scorn my beckoning,        &nbsp And will not come; And I say, "'Twere mood ungainly To store her memory so:"        &nbsp I say it vainly -        &nbsp I feel and know!