I.

I nursed it in my bosom while it lived,
         I hid it in my heart when it was dead;
In joy I sat alone, even so I grieved
         Alone and nothing said.

I shut the door to face the naked truth,
         I stood alone,--I faced the truth alone,
Stripped bare of self-regard or forms or ruth
         Till first and last were shown.

I took the perfect balances and weighed;
         No shaking of my hand disturbed the poise;
Weighed, found it wanting: not a word I said,
         But silent made my choice.

None know the choice I made; I make it still.
         None know the choice I made and broke my heart,
Breaking mine idol: I have braced my will
         Once, chosen for once my part.

I broke it at a blow, I laid it cold,
         Crushed in my deep heart where it used to live.
My heart dies inch by inch; the time grows old,
         Grows old in which I grieve.
                        II.

I have a room whereinto no one enters
         Save I myself alone:
         There sits a blessed memory on a throne,
There my life centres.

While winter comes and goes--O tedious comer!--
         And while its nip-wind blows;
         While bloom the bloodless lily and warm rose
Of lavish summer.

If any should force entrance he might see there
         One buried yet not dead,
         Before whose face I no more bow my head
Or bend my knee there;

But often in my worn life's autumn weather
         I watch there with clear eyes,
        And think how it will be in Paradise
When we're together.