One Day

I will tell you when they met:     In the limpid days of Spring;     Elder boughs were budding yet,     Oaken boughs looked wintry still,     But primrose and veined violet     In the mossful turf were set,     While meeting birds made haste to sing     And build with right good will.     I will tell you when they parted:     When plenteous Autumn sheaves were brown,     Then they parted heavy-hearted;     The full rejoicing sun looked down     As grand as in the days before;     Only they had lost a crown;     Only to them those days of yore     Could come back nevermore.     When shall they meet? I cannot tell,     Indeed, when they shall meet again,     Except some day in Paradise:     For this they wait, one waits in pain.     Beyond the sea of death love lies     For ever, yesterday, to-day;     Angels shall ask them, 'Is it well?'     And they shall answer, 'Yea.'