| Arthur Quiller-Couch, ed. 1919. The Oxford Book of English Verse: 1250–1900. |
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| Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton. 1809–1885 |
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| 710. Shadows |
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| THEY seem'd, to those who saw them meet, | |
| The casual friends of every day; | |
| Her smile was undisturb'd and sweet, | |
| His courtesy was free and gay. | |
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| But yet if one the other's name | 5 |
| In some unguarded moment heard, | |
| The heart you thought so calm and tame | |
| Would struggle like a captured bird: | |
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| And letters of mere formal phrase | |
| Were blister'd with repeated tears,— | 10 |
| And this was not the work of days, | |
| But had gone on for years and years! | |
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| Alas, that love was not too strong | |
| For maiden shame and manly pride! | |
| Alas, that they delay'd so long | 15 |
| The goal of mutual bliss beside! | |
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| Yet what no chance could then reveal, | |
| And neither would be first to own, | |
| Let fate and courage now conceal, | |
| When truth could bring remorse alone. | 20 |
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