Methought I saw the lovers Time has known—
Not Helen with the earth-flame in her eyes,
Neither Francesca with her stifled moan,
Nor any like to these, but otherwise.

Quiet, unluted lovers all obscure,
Sweet as with garden fragrance and still dew,
Whose passions were both prosperous and pure,
Whose lives were all their loveliest dreams made true.

They crouched not low bewailing mournful chance,
But seemed strong souls beneath the day's white star,
Revealed a moment in my breathless trance,
Erect and fair as the immortals are.

Youths and dear girls unknown to minstrels' page,
Husbands and wives forgotten in the earth,
Old men and women smiling through their age—
All steadfast spirits since True-Love had birth.

They moved before my eyes a little time,
Then vanished—O imperishable dream!
I saw beyond the cloud, I heard Love's rhyme
Under the loud, swift current of Life's stream:

I saw the world upheld by lovers' hands,
I felt a silence fine as Music's soul—
For Love's immortals, like angelic bands,
Held all the earth in one divine control.