Part 2 (1/2)

I dreamed that love came, as the oak trees grow, By the chance dropping of a tiny seed; And then from moon to moon with steady speed, Tho' torn by winds and chilled with heedless snow, The sap of pulsing life would upward flow, 'Till in its might the heavens themselves could read Portents of power that they must learn to heed.

This was my dream--the waking proved not so-- For love came like a flower, and grew apace; I saw it blossom tenderly and frail Till the dear Spring had run its eager race, Then the rough wind tossed wide the petals red; The seeds fell far in soil beyond my pale.

I know not, now, if love be lost, or dead.

EVENING AT WAs.h.i.+NGTON

The purple stretches of the evening sky Lean to the fair white city waiting here, Flecking with gold the marble's lifted tier, Down the blue marsh where crows to Southward fly.

Flanked by dim ramparts, where the tide dreams by, High from the city's heart, a lifted spear, In its straight splendour makes the heavens seem near, Symbol of man-made force that shall not die.

To the tall crest we gaze in self-command, a.s.sured the world's our own and we may dare To raise our Babel thro' forbidden aisles And hold the skirt of knowledge in our hand, Great in our moment, spurn the world's despair; While Heaven looks down through calm unmeasured miles.

LOVE'S KISS

Kiss me but once--and in that s.p.a.ce supreme My whole dark life shall quiver to an end, Sweet Death shall see my heart and comprehend That life is crowned--and in an endless gleam Will fix the colour of the dying stream That Life and Death may meet as friend with friend An endless immortality to blend; Kiss me but once, and so shall end my dream.

And then Love heard me and bestowed his kiss, And straight I cried to Death: I will not die!

Earth is so fair when one remembers this; Life is but just begun! Ah, come not yet!

The very world smiles up to kiss the sky And in the grave one may forget--forget.

THE SCARLET THREAD

The sun rose dimly thro' the pallid rain, Dear Heart--and have we strength to face the day?

The times and life alike are old and grey, All worn with long monotonies of pain.

Lo--we are working out the curse of Cain, Who never felt the fire of pa.s.sion's sway.

Ah--show us crimson in some tragic way That we may live!--Fate laughed in her disdain.

A thread of scarlet clashed upon mine eyes Hung for a moment and was swept behind, And blankly I beheld the hopeless skies For day by contrast now is grimmest night-- Remembering light as do the newly blind I pray for death to hide the bitter sight.

AUTUMN

The ruddy banners of the Autumn leaves Toss out a challenge to the waiting snows, Where Winter stalks from o'er the mountain rows; This fiery blaze his onward march receives, A mock defence his coward heart believes, And turns him sulking to his moated close.

Now Man the confidence of Nature knows, And feels the mighty heart that loves and grieves.

Not as in rude young March or hoyden June, Hard in their beauty, laughing thro' their days; Their fine indifference is out of tune.