Frederick Locker-Lampson

1821-1895 / London, England

The Unrealised Ideal

My only Love is always near,
In country or in town
I see her twinkling feet, I hear
The whisper of her gown.

She foots it ever fair and young,
Her locks are tied in haste,
And one is o'er her shoulder flung,
And hangs below her waist.

She ran before me in the meads;
And down this world-worn track
She leads me on; but while she leads
She never gazes back.

And yet her voice is in my dreams,
To witch me more and more;
That wooing voice! Ah me, it seems
Less near me than of yore.

Lightly I sped when hope was high
And youth beguiled the chase,--
I follow, follow still: But I
Shall never see her face.
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