Pebbles and Shells (Hawkes collection)/Yes or No

by Clarence Hawkes

YES OR NO

They sat within a dreamy bower,
 And passed the hours in converse sweet;
 He by her side, yet at her feet,
Nor heard the clock upon the tower
That chimed each swiftly passing hour;
 And in each moment passing fleet
 He racked his wits for some conceit
To supplement his feeble power
 In asking for the maiden's hand;
While she impatient of delay,
But looked the words she dared not say,
 And wished that he might understand.
Only a word and idle breath,
But yes was life, and no was death.