Song shall tell how glad and strong Is the night she soothes alway; Moan shall grieve with that parched tongue Sounds as of the springtide they, While the chill months long for May. Not the prayers which with all leave Let it yield my love to her, Strength that shall not grieve or er Wheresoe'er my dreams befall, Both at night-watch, (let it say), And where round the sun-dial Rest and call; There her glance doth fall and stay. Suddenly her face is there: So do mounting vapors wreathe Subtle-scented transports where The black fir-wood sets its teeth Part the boughs and look beneath,Lilies share Secret waters there, and breathe. Master, bid my shadow bend Whispering thus till birth of light, Lest new shapes that sleep may send Scatter all its work to flight; Master, master of the night, Bid it spend Speech, song, prayer, and end aright. Yet, ah me! if at her head There another phantom lean Murmuring o'er the fragrant bed, Ah! and if my spirit's queen Smile those alien words between, Shall it strive, or fade unseen? How should love's own messenger Strive with love and be love's foe? Sleep a wedded heart should show,- Its old share Of thy spell-bound air to know. Like a vapor wan and mute, Like a flame, so let it pass; One low sigh across her lute, One dull breath against her glass; And to my sad soul, alas! One salute Cold as when death's foot shall pass. Then, too, let all hopes of mine, All vain hopes by night and day, Slowly at thy summoning sign Rise up pallid and obey. Dreams, if this is thus, were they: - Yet from old time, life, not death, Lo! through thee, with mingling breath, O Love bring me so, for strife, Bring me so not death but life! Yea, to Love himself is pour'd With kind Sleep to bring her near, In her name implor'd, O hear! TROY TOWN. HEAVENBORN HELEN, Sparta's queen, (0 Troy Town!) Had two breasts of heavenly sheen, The sun and moon of the heart's desire: All Love's lordship lay between. (O Troy's down, Tall Troy's on fire!) Helen knelt at Venus' shrine, Saying, 'A little gift is mine, A little gift for a heart's desire. Hear me speak and make me a sign! (0 Troy's down, Tall Troy's on fire!) |