I see thine image through my tears tonight,
And yet today I saw thee smiling. How,
Refer the cause? Beloved, is it thou
Or I? . . who makes me sad? The acolyte
Amid the chanted joy & solemn rite,
May, so, fall flat, with pale insensate brow.
On the altar-stair. I hear thy voice & vow
Perplexed . . , uncertain . . , since thou'rt out of sight,
As he, in his swooning ears, the choir's amen!-
Beloved, dost thou love?, . . or did I see all
The glory as I dreamed, and fainted when
Too vehement light dilated my Ideal,
For my soul's eyes? Will that light come again,
As now these tears come, . . . . falling hot & real.

Elizabeth Barrett Browning