The Lost Mistress

Portrait of Robert Browning
Robert Browning 1812–1889

All's over, then: does truth sound bitter As one at first believes? Hark, 'tis the sparrows' good-night twitter About your cottage eaves!

And the leaf-buds on the vine are woolly, I noticed that today; One day more bursts them open fully —You know the red turns grey.

Tomorrow we meet the same then, dearest? May I take your hand in mine? Mere friends are we,—well, friends the merest Keep much that I resign:

For each glance of that eye so bright and black, Though I keep with heart's endeavour,— Your voice, when you wish the snowdrops back, Though it stay in my soul for ever!—

—Yet I will but say what mere friends say, Or only a thought stronger; I will hold your hand but as long as all may, Or so very little longer!

Keep reading

Discover more of Robert Browning’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion 1 comment

Add your reading ↓
Readers
1
Longest reading
nick5 words
  1. nick United States

    this is a good poem

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.