Paul Verlaine

You would have understood me, had you waited;     I could have loved you, dear! as well as he:     Had we not been impatient, dear! and fated     Always to disagree.     What is the use of speech? Silence were fitter:     Lest we should still be wishing things unsaid.     Though all the words we ever spake were bitter,     Shall I reproach you dead?     Nay, let this earth, your portion, likewise cover     All the old anger, setting us apart:     Always, in all, in truth was I your lover;     Always, I held your heart.     I have met other women who were tender,     As you were cold, dear! with a grace as rare.     Think you, I turned to them, or made surrender,     I who had found you fair?     Had we been patient, dear! ah, had you waited,     I had fought death for you, better than he:     But from the very first, dear! we were fated     Always to disagree.     Late, late, I come to you, now death discloses     Love that in life was not to be our part:     On your low lying mound between the roses,     Sadly I cast my heart.     I would not waken you: nay! this is fitter;     Death and the darkness give you unto me;     Here we who loved so, were so cold and bitter,     Hardly can disagree.