Never the Time and the Place

     Never the time and the place
          And the loved one all together!
     This path — how soft to pace!
          This May — what magic weather!
     Where is the loved one's face?
In a dream that loved one's face meets mine,
     But the house is narrow, the place is bleak
Where, outside, rain and wind combine
     With a furtive ear, if I strive to speak,
     With a hostile eye at my flushing cheek,
With a malice that marks each word, each sign!
O enemy sly and serpentine,
     Uncoil thee from the waking man!
          Do I hold the Past
          Thus firm and fast
     Yet doubt if the Future hold I can?
This path so soft to pace shall lead
Thro' the magic of May to herself indeed!
Or narrow if needs the house must be,
Outside are the storms and strangers: we —
Oh, close, safe, warm sleep I and she,
— I and she!