For ever now the shadow has departed;
Nor bitter sorrow, veiled in scornful pride,
Shall feign indifference, or affect disdain,--
Never, oh Love, again, never again!"

"Never again!" so sobs, in broken accents,
A soul laid prostrate at a holy shrine,--
"Once more, once more forgive, oh Lord, and pardon,
My wayward life shall bend to love divine;
And never more shall sin its whiteness stain,--
Never, oh God, again, never again!"

"Never again!" so speaketh one forsaken,
In the blank desolate passion of despair,--
"Never again shall the bright dream I cherished
Delude my heart, for bitter truth is there,--
The angel, Hope, shall still thy cruel pain
Never again, my heart, never again!"

"Never again!" so speaks the sudden silence,
When round the hearth gathers each well-known face,--
But one is missing, and no future presence,
However dear, can fill that vacant place;
For ever shall the burning thought remain,--
"Never, beloved, again! never again!"

"Never again!" so--but beyond our hearing--
Ring out far voices fading up the sky;
Never again shall earthly care and sorrow
Weigh down the wings that bear those souls on high;