Pacchiarotto/Bifurcation
BIFURCATION.
We were two lovers; let me lie by her,My tomb beside her tomb. On hers inscribe—"I loved him; but my reason bade preferDuty to love, reject the tempter's bribeOf rose and lily when each path diverged,And either I must pace to life's far endAs love should lead me, or, as duty urged,Plod the worn causeway arm in arm with friend.So, truth turned falsehood: 'How I loathe a flower,How prize the pavement!' still caressed his ear— The deafish friend's—through life's day, hour by hour,As he laughed (coughing). 'Ay, it would appear!'But deep within my heart of hearts there hidEver the confidence, amends for all,That heaven repairs what wrong earth's journey did,When love from life-long exile comes at call.Duty and love, one broadway, were the best—Who doubts? But one or other was to choose.I chose the darkling half, and wait the restIn that new world where light and darkness fuse."
Inscribe on mine—"I loved her: love's track layO'er sand and pebble, as all travellers know.Duty led through a smiling country, gayWith greensward where the rose and lily blow. 'Our roads are diverse: farewell, love!' said she:''Tis duty I abide by: homely swardAnd not the rock-rough picturesque for me!Above, where both roads join, I wait reward.Be you as constant to the path whereonI leave you planted!' But man needs must move,Keep moving—whither, when the star is goneWhereby he steps secure nor strays from love?No stone but I was tripped by, stumbling-blockBut brought me to confusion. Where I fell,There I lay flat, if moss disguised the rock,Thence, if flint pierced, I rose and cried 'All's well!Duty be mine to tread in that high sphereWhere love from duty ne'er disparts, I trust, And two halves make that whole, whereof—since hereOne must suffice a man—why, this one must!'"
Inscribe each tomb thus: then, some sage acquaintThe simple—which holds sinner, which holds saint!