IF THIS WERE SO.
Reading edition
O Love, if I could see you standing here, I, to whom the memory of a scene— This lane, tree-shadowed, with the summer’s light Falling in golden showers, the boughs between, Upon your upturned face—shines out as clear, Against the background dark of many a year, As yonder solitary starlet bright Gleams on the storm-clad bosom of the night. If this were so—if you should come to me With your calm, angel face, framed in with gold, And lay your hand in mine as long ago You laid it coldly, would the love untold Hidden within my heart, set my lips free To speak of it and know the certainty Of love crowned or rejected—yes or no? O Love, I could not speak if this were so. But if you came to meet me in the lane With footsteps swifter than you used of yore— And if your eyes grew brighter, dear, as though They gladdened at my coming back once more— If, when I held your little hand again, Your calmness grew less still, then not in vain My heart would strive to speak, for it would know What words to utter, Love, if this were so! Kate Mellersh.
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[Transcriber’s note—the following changes have been made to this text.
Page 693: Villiars to Villiers—“down Villiers Street”.]