Classic Poem

" At length, I know not how the knowledge came,
Came like a starbeam to the brow of night,
That I, a maiden of low birth and name,
Found favor in his sight.

" But when, he said: " Come, dear Leona, come,
And make an Eden in my lonely life,
Bring beauty, bloom and music to my home,
As my beloved wife;"

" I could not answer for a little space,
For he was more than all the world to me;
I dared not lift my eyes to his dear face,
Yet sighed, " It can not be.

" " Keep thou my love; it was not lightly won,
And will be true to thee, in deed and word.
But O, I can not give my hand to one
Whose lips revile my Lord."

" He turned and slowly walked along the path,
With knitted brow, as he were sore aggrieved,
And murmured, " What and wherefore is this faith
That I have not received?

" " Nay, I can not believe — t'were vain to fry,"
And looking sadly in my tear-stained face,
He said, " This taint of infidelity
Is in my blood and race."

" Much more we said, it boots not to repeat;
His arguments were eloquent, but vain;
I put away the cup so tempting sweet,
God knows with what deep pain.

" When long, gray shadows fell aslant the hills,
And setting sunshine drifted soft and bright
Along the level leas and fretting rills,
To kiss the world good-night,

" With one long look, one final clasp of hands,
Poor, mute interpreters of sorrow sore,
We parted where the waves, on sodden sands,
Knelt, murmuring, " Nevermore!"