Robert Browning

1812-1889

 

In Three Days

by Robert Browning

1.

So, I shall see her in three days
And just one night, but nights are short,
Then two long hours, and that is morn.
See how I come, unchanged, unworn --
Feel, where my life broke off from thine,
How fresh the splinters keep and fine, --
Only a touch and we combine!

2.

Too long, this time of year, the days!
But nights -- at least the nights are short.
As night shows where her one moon is,
A hand's-breadth of pure light and bliss,
So, life's night gives my lady birth
And my eyes hold her! what is worth
The rest of heaven, the rest of earth?

3.

O loaded curls, release your store
Of warmth and scent as once before
The tingling hair did, lights and darks
Out-breaking into fairy sparks
When under curl and curl I pried
After the warmth and scent inside
Thro' lights and darks how manifold --
The dark inspired, the light controlled!
As early Art embrowned the gold.

4.

What great fear -- should one say, Three days
That change the world, might change as well
Your fortune; and if joy delays,
Be happy that no worse befell.

What small fear -- if another says,
Three days and one short night beside
May throw no shadow on your ways;
But years must teem with change untried,
With chance not easily defied,
With an end somewhere undescried.

No fear! -- or if a fear be born
This minute, it dies out in scorn.
Fear? I shall see her in three days
And one night, now the nights are short,
Then just two hours, and that is morn.

Source:

Men And Women
Copyright 1863
Boston: Ticknor And Fields