ONE DAY

I will tell you when they met:

In the limpid days of Spring;

Elder boughs were budding yet,

Oaken boughs looked wintry still,

But primrose and veined violet

In the mossful turf were set,

While meeting birds made haste to sing

And build with right good will.

I will tell you when they parted.

When plenteous Autumn sheaves were brown,

Then they parted heavy-hearted;

The full rejoicing sun looked down

As grand as in the days before;

Only they had lost a crown;

Only to them those days of yore

Could come back nevermore.

When shall they meet? I cannot tell,

Indeed, when they shall meet again,

Except some day in Paradise:

For this they wait, one waits in pain.

Beyond the sea of death love lies

For ever, yesterday, to-day;

Angels shall ask them, ‘Is it well?’

And they shall answer, ‘Yea.’

Frederick Smallfield EARLY LOVERS Oil on canvas. 1858 Manchester City Art Gallery

Фредерик Смоллфилд ЮНЫЕ ВЛЮБЛЕННЫЕ Холст, масло. 1858 Манчестерская художественная галерея