Poem by Richard Watson Gilder

The New Day. Part 4. 5. All in One

Once when a maiden maidenly went by,
⁠     Or when I found some wonder in the grass,
⁠     Or when a purple sunset slow did pass,
     ⁠Or a great star rushed silent through the sky;
Once when I heard a singing ecstasy,
⁠     Or saw the moon's face in the river's glass—
     ⁠Then I remembered that for me, alas!
     ⁠This beauty must for ever and ever die.
But now I may thus sorrow never more;
⁠     From fleeting beauty thou hast torn the pall;
⁠     Of beauty, Love, thou art the soul and core;
And tho' the empty shadow fading fall,—
     ⁠Tho' lesser birds lift up their wings and soar,—
     ⁠In having thee alone, Love, I have all. 

1. The Celestial Passion. Part 2. 4. Cost
2. The New Day. Part 3. 29. The Unknown Way
3. The New Day. Part 4. 16. “Love Is Not Bond to Any Man”
4. The New Day. Part 3. 18. Song (The birds were singing, the skies were gay)
5. The New Day. Part 3. 31. “When the Last Doubt Is Doubted”

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