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.