Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/Only a Slender Graven Band
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ONLY A SLENDER GRAVEN BAND
Only a slender graven band,
A tiny thing of gold,
I took it from my dead Love's hand
Her hand so white and cold.
A tiny thing of gold,
I took it from my dead Love's hand
Her hand so white and cold.
I hid it in my aching breast,
O! cruel cruel fate,
It filled my heart with mad unrest
And crushed me with its weight.
O! cruel cruel fate,
It filled my heart with mad unrest
And crushed me with its weight.
I hid it in a secret drawer,
Away from mortal eye,
But still it 'drew me by its power—
I could not let it lie.
Away from mortal eye,
But still it 'drew me by its power—
I could not let it lie.
I gave it to a distant friend
To keep for me, alack!
Before he reached his journey's end
I was upon his track.
To keep for me, alack!
Before he reached his journey's end
I was upon his track.
I tore it fiercely from his hand
And threw it in the sea,
Then lay me down upon the sand
And wept it bitterly.
And threw it in the sea,
Then lay me down upon the sand
And wept it bitterly.
It fell upon a sea-weed bright
That floated to the shore,
I seized my treasure with delight
And kissed it o'er and o'er.
That floated to the shore,
I seized my treasure with delight
And kissed it o'er and o'er.
And now I wear it on my hand
Where all the world may see,—
But only God can understand
How much it means to me.
Where all the world may see,—
But only God can understand
How much it means to me.