Within A Year

I.         Lips that are met in love's             Devotion sweet,     While parting lovers passionately greet,     And earth through heaven's arc more swiftly moves -         Oh, will they be less dear         Within a year?     II.         Eyes in whose shadow-spell             Far off I read     That which to lovers taking loving heed     Dear women's eyes full soon and plainly tell -         Oh, will you give such cheer         This time a year?     III.         Behold! the dark year goes,             Nor will reveal     Aught of its purpose, if for woe or weal,     Swift as a stream that o'er the mill-weir flows:         Mayhap the end draws near         Within the year!     IV.         Yet, darling, once more touch             Those lips to mine.     Set on my life that talisman divine;     Absence, new friends, I fear not overmuch -    -         Even Death, should he appear         Within the year!