Love Unspoken

'Twas on returning to his home
Aft' many years apart
That William saw Marie anew.
She burst into his heart.

He'd known her in his childhood years;
She'd been his dearest friend,
But William's going off to sea
Had brought their friendship's end.

He saw her now as ne'er before.
"How have you been?" quoth he,
"I missed you in my absence long,
Have you been well, Marie?"

"My life's gone on. It has been long
Since last I saw you here.
What is your news? How fares your life?
Do tell, O William dear."

So spent they hours in peaceful talk,
Rehearsing times ago,
And friendship blossomed once again,
What more? Nor one could know.

That night he slipped between the sheets,
And, longing, went to bed,
A dream within his hoping heart,
Her voice within his head.

From that time on, ensnared they were
By friendship's cold embrace.
So friends they were, and thus they stayed,
Each holding to that place.

He loved her, yet could not admit
The passion that he knew,
And when she, sensing, drew near him,
He cowered and withdrew.

That night he slipped between the sheets,
And, lonely, went to bed,
A dream within his hoping heart,
Her voice within his head.

One day into that town there rode
A soldier, full of life,
Who, spying fair Marie, declared,
"I'll make that girl my wife."

With much élan he courted her;
Full overwhelmed was she.
Yet still toward William did she glance.
Response she did not see.

That night he slipped between the sheets,
And, lonely, went to bed,
A dream within his hoping heart,
Her voice within his head.

The wedding day dawned warm and clear,
And happy every guest
To join Marie in festive mirth
And William with the rest.

His countenance was cordial, calm,
True feelings none could tell.
When she glanced o'er with doubting eyes
He smiled and wished her well.

At last he slipped between the sheets,
And evermore to bed,
Despair within his wretched heart,
A bullet in his head.