Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/912

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ROBERT BROWNING

My being—had I sign'd the bond— Still one must lead some life beyond,  Have a bliss to die with, dim-descried. This foot once planted on the goal, This glory-garland round my soul, Could I descry such? Try and test! I sink back shuddering from the quest. Earth being so good, would heaven seem best?  Now, heaven and she arc beyond this ride.
And yet—she has not spoke so long! What if heaven be that, fair and strong At life's best, with our eyes upturned Whither life's flower is first discern'd,  We, fix'd so, ever should so abide? What if we still ride on, we two With life for ever old yet new, Changed not in kind but in degree, The instant made eternity,— And heaven just prove that I and she  Ride, ride together, for ever ride?

737 Love Among the Ruins

I
WHERE the quiet-coloured end of evening smiles   Miles and miles On the solitary pastures where our sheep   Half-asleep Tinkle homeward thro' the twilight, stray or stop   As they crop—

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