She heard the story of the end, 
   Each message, too, she heard; 
And there was one for every friend; 
   For her alone -- no word. 

And shall she bear a heavier heart, 
   And deem his love was fled; 
Because his soul from earth could part 
   Leaving her name unsaid? 

No -- No! -- Though neither sign nor sound 
   A parting thought expressed -- 
Not heedless passed the Homeward-Bound 
   Of her he loved the best. 

Of voyage-perils, bravely borne, 
   He would not tell the tale; 
Of shattered planks and canvas torn, 
   And war with wind and gale. 

He waited till the light-house star 
   Should rise against the sky; 
And from the mainland, looming far, 
   The forest scents blow by. 

He hoped to tell -- assurance sweet! -- 
   That pain and grief were o'er -- 
What blessings haste the soul to meet, 
   Ere yet within the door. 

Then one farewell he thought to speak 
   When all the rest were past -- 
As in the parting-hour we seek 
   The dearest hand the last. 

And while for this delaying but 
   To see Heaven's opening Gate -- 
Lo, it received him -- and was shut -- 
   Ere he could say "I wait."