Classic Poem

She heard the story of the end,
   Each message, too, she heard;
And there was one for every friend;
   For her alone -- no word.

And shall she bear a heavier heart,
   And deem his love was fled;
Because his soul from earth could part
   Leaving her name unsaid?

No -- No! -- Though neither sign nor sound
   A parting thought expressed --
Not heedless passed the Homeward-Bound
   Of her he loved the best.

Of voyage-perils, bravely borne,
   He would not tell the tale;
Of shattered planks and canvas torn,
   And war with wind and gale.

He waited till the light-house star
   Should rise against the sky;
And from the mainland, looming far,
   The forest scents blow by.

He hoped to tell -- assurance sweet! --
   That pain and grief were o'er --
What blessings haste the soul to meet,
   Ere yet within the door.

Then one farewell he thought to speak
   When all the rest were past --
As in the parting-hour we seek
   The dearest hand the last.

And while for this delaying but
   To see Heaven's opening Gate --
Lo, it received him -- and was shut --
   Ere he could say "I wait."