Observant of the way she told 
So much of what was true, 
No vanity could long withhold 
Regard that was her due: 
She spared him the familiar guile, 
So easily achieved, 
That only made a man to smile 
And left him undeceived.

Aware that all imagining 
Of more than what she meant 
Would urge an end of everything, 
He stayed; and when he went, 
They parted with a merry word 
That was to him as light 
As any that was ever heard 
Upon a starry night.

She smiled a little, knowing well 
That he would not remark 
The ruins of a day that fell 
Around her in the dark: 
He saw no ruins anywhere, 
Nor fancied there were scars 
On anyone who lingered there, 
Alone below the stars.