Forever Unconfessed by Richard Monckton Milnes, Lord Houghton

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THEY seemed to those who saw them meet
The worldly friends of every day,

But yet if one the other’s name
In some unguarded moment heard,
The heart you thought so calm and tame,
Would struggle like a captured bird:

And letters of mere formal phrase
Were blistered with repeated tears,—
And this was not the work of days,
But had gone on for years and years!

Alas, that Love was not too strong
For maiden shame and manly pride!
Alas, that they delayed too long
The goal of mutual bliss beside.

Yet what chance could then reveal,
And neither would be first to own,
Let fate and courage now conceal,
When truth could bring remorse alone.