All day I bar thee from my inmost thought;
Remember not thy voice, thy ways, thy face,
Thy little nameless charms, or any trace
Of all that makes me love thee; else unwrought
Were all my high endeavors and unfought
My battles; but with single aim I win my place,
Am stern of purpose, deeming it disgrace
To stand unless by honor, praise unsought.
And if, though all unwished, thy face doth seem
To shine afar through smoke of battle drawn
As mist which dims the radiant stars at dawn,
I may not look on thee, else would I dream,
Nor comprehend my trust and to the same
Keep true. But when the darkening night hath brought
Release from strife, and every breath of night
With quiet infinite and calm delight
Steals on my soul; when hours of toil have brought
Far shorter hours of sleep, though 'twixt us roll
the breadth of seas, - I feel thy hand in mine,
And seeing thy dear eyes cannot repine,
For thou art near - within my very soul.