PAST AND FUTURE
THE NEW HATH COME AND NOW THE OLD RETIRES: And so the past becomes a mountain-cell, Where lone1, apart, old hermit-memories dwell In consecrated2 calm, forgotten yet Of the keen heart that hastens to forget Old longings3 in fulfilling new desires.
And now the Soul stands in a vague, intense Expectancy4 and anguish5 of suspense6, On the dim chamber-threshold . . . lo! he sees Like a strange, fated bride as yet unknown, His timid future shrinking there alone, Beneath her marriage-veil of mysteries.