In “The Misers,” a speaker looks back on a love that failed because both people were too guarded. They were frightened of giving too much, of looking too deeply or kissing too long, so they held back exactly when they most wanted to reach out. Wanting love to be perfect and eternal made them stingy with the present; they saved their passion as if it could be hoarded. Now the speaker sees the result: not a noble sacrifice but emptiness. There are no rich memories of a “well-lost heaven,” only regret over kisses that never happened. The mood is sorrowful and haunted, full of self-reproach, as the speaker realizes that by trying to protect love, they lost it altogether.
The Misers — Summary
We were so fearful lest we give too much And thereby wrench the sweetness from the song, Trembled to look too deep or kiss too long, And stood aloof when we yearned most to touch.
Oh had we been content, less passionate For Love's eternity we had not lost The least of Love's eternal hours, whose cost We never dreamed until it was too late.
So was life stripped of even memories To meet that time when we had no desire, That day we looked and turned away shamed eyes, Seeing but ashes where had once been fire.
No splendid shadows of a well-lost heaven, But tearful ghosts of kisses never given.