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The Song of Brotherhood (Raw)
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Speaker:ns1:collectionPrimary Fiction and Poetry TextsRelated Document :Word Count :10465Plaint Text :ns1:locationSydney, AustraliaContributor:Brereton, John Le Gay (1871-1933)Created:1896Identifierbresong.xmlpart of:PublisherUniversity of Sydney LibraryTitleThe Song of Brotherhood
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><TEI.2 id="bresong" TEIform="TEI.2"> <teiHeader type="text" status="new" TEIform="teiHeader"> <fileDesc TEIform="fileDesc"> <titleStmt TEIform="titleStmt"> <title type="main" TEIform="title">The Song of Brotherhood</title> <title type="sub" TEIform="title">And Other Verses</title> <author TEIform="author">Brereton, John Le Gay (1871-1933)</author> <respStmt TEIform="respStmt"> <resp TEIform="resp">Electronic Text:</resp><name TEIform="name">LaserWords</name></respStmt> <funder TEIform="funder">Australian Literature Electronic Gateway</funder> </titleStmt> <extent TEIform="extent">ca. 90 KB</extent> <publicationStmt TEIform="publicationStmt"> <publisher TEIform="publisher">University of Sydney Library</publisher> <pubPlace TEIform="pubPlace">Sydney, Australia</pubPlace><date TEIform="date">2003</date> <idno type="setis" TEIform="idno">bresong</idno> <availability status="unknown" TEIform="availability"><p TEIform="p"><hi rend="bold" TEIform="hi">http://setis.library.usyd.edu.au/oztexts</hi></p> <p TEIform="p">© University of Sydney Library. The texts and images are not to be used for commercial purposes without permission</p></availability> </publicationStmt> <sourceDesc default="NO" TEIform="sourceDesc"> <p TEIform="p">Prepared from the print edition published by George Allen London 1896</p> </sourceDesc> </fileDesc> <encodingDesc TEIform="encodingDesc"> <editorialDecl default="NO" TEIform="editorialDecl"> <p TEIform="p">All quotation marks are retained as data.</p> </editorialDecl> </encodingDesc> <profileDesc TEIform="profileDesc"> <creation TEIform="creation"><date TEIform="date">1896</date></creation> <particDesc default="NO" TEIform="particDesc"> <person role="author" sex="m" TEIform="person"><p TEIform="p"/></person> </particDesc> <textClass default="NO" TEIform="textClass"> <classCode TEIform="classCode"/> <keywords TEIform="keywords"> <term TEIform="term">setis australian etexts</term> <term TEIform="term"/> <term TEIform="term">poetry</term> <term TEIform="term">1890-1909</term> </keywords> </textClass> </profileDesc> </teiHeader> <text TEIform="text"> <front TEIform="front"> <titlePage TEIform="titlePage"> <docTitle TEIform="docTitle"> <titlePart type="main" TEIform="titlePart">The Song of Brotherhood</titlePart> <titlePart type="sub" TEIform="titlePart">And Other Verses</titlePart> </docTitle> <byline TEIform="byline"><docAuthor TEIform="docAuthor">John Le Gay Brereton</docAuthor></byline> <docImprint TEIform="docImprint"> <pubPlace TEIform="pubPlace">London</pubPlace> <publisher TEIform="publisher">George Allen</publisher> <docDate TEIform="docDate">1896</docDate> </docImprint> </titlePage> </front> <body TEIform="body"> <div0 type="part" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div0" id="d141e138"><head type="div0" TEIform="head">The Song of Brotherhood. And Other Verses</head> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e142"><pb n="xiii" TEIform="pb" id="d141e143"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Apologia</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">To him whose blood flows through my veins</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">My songs I bring—</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">To him who left me wealth of joys and pains,</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Life's losses and her gains,</l> <l n="5" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The love of song and the desire to sing.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">Alas, no longer singeth he!</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">But when his life</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Sank down and vanished in the mighty sea</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Of being, came to me</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Some subtle whisperings with meaning rife.</l></lg> <pb n="xiv" TEIform="pb" id="d141e179"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">How should my ears be fit to hear</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And understand?</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">I see as one sees blurred light through a tear,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">In strife of hope and fear</l> <l n="15" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">When death and life stand close on either hand.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">A voice, like sweep of summer rain</l> <l n="17" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That passes swift,</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">Sighs to me: “Sing of Love and sing of Pain,”</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">But sighs to me in vain,</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Who lack his thought, his heart, his spirit-gift.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">From him who sang “The Goal of Time”</l> <l n="22" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I hear sweet words,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">And scrawl gnarled imitations into rhyme,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">Because I cannot climb</l> <l n="25" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The clouds like him whose voice was as a bird's.</l></lg> <pb n="xv" TEIform="pb" id="d141e230"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">The thoughts too high to catch and hold</l> <l n="27" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Pass by and go</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Into the vast unseen. Am I too bold,</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">To mar his words of gold</l> <l n="30" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">With stammering lips and accents harsh and low?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">Will not men take these broken things,</l> <l n="32" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">These faded flowers,</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">And laugh to scorn the idle boor who sings</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">His witless rhymes and flings</l> <l n="35" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Abroad these mangled shreds from other hours?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Will they not sneer and say: “The fool</l> <l n="37" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Would have us think</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">His words sublime, and he a sage to school</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">The world with canting rule;</l> <l n="40" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">He gives us channel dregs as wine to drink?”</l></lg> <pb n="xvi" TEIform="pb" id="d141e281"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">The perfect blossoms of my dreams</l> <l n="42" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Look not so fair</l> <l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">When light from flaring tapers on them gleams,</l> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l">Nor are they sweet, meseems,</l> <l n="45" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Without his soulful presence, anywhere.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">But as the wind, that passeth by</l> <l n="47" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And comes no more,</l> <l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l">Brings scents from lands beneath a summer sky,</l> <l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">Yea, even so may I</l> <l n="50" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Bring some faint strain from him who sang before.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e316"><pb n="xvii" TEIform="pb" id="d141e317"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Song of Brotherhood</head> <pb n="4" TEIform="pb" id="d141e321"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">And sent its curls of incense slowly wreathing</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">Upon the last sweet sighs the day was breathing.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">In front, the glowing splendour of the past;</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> Behind, the frowning gloom of gorge and glen—</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">The home of Night, whence she emerged and cast</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> Her sleepy poppy in the eyes of men ;</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">About our feet, the joy of grass and fern,</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Lulled fast to rest by croonings of a burn.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">And careless jest and laugh ran round and sought</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> Ledges of moss, and crevices where drops</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Of icy water oozed, and echoes caught</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l"> The gladsome sounds, and bore them to the tops</l> <pb n="5" TEIform="pb" id="d141e362"/> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Of craggy dells, and left them there to die</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">Or wander with the wind that whispered by.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">But as we sat there came a sound of song,</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l"> A sound that seemed to tell of Nature's gladness,</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">Of rhythmic chants and pæans, that belong</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of right to wind-swept wilds; yet notes of sadness</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Seemed still to lurk behind. We could not hear</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">The words, nor did the singer yet appear.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Yet silence fell upon us, like the chill</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of winter flowing through an open door;</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">All gazed into each other's eyes as still</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l"> As graven stone. And now the breezes bore</l> <pb n="6" TEIform="pb" id="d141e404"/> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Some scattered syllables, that grew more clear,</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">Until these words fell perfect on the ear :—</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">“ Nay, who am I, that I wail and cry,</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l"> And wrestle with hate and longing ?</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Fair friends for me in the sea and sky</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l"> And here on the earth are thronging ;</l> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l"> With heart of stone</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l"> Have I walked alone,</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l"> The claim of my kindred wronging.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">“ Each blade of grass, wherever I pass,</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l"> Is a friend that is glad to greet me ;</l> <l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">The stream as clear as a sheet of glass</l> <l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l"> Flows over the pebbles to meet me ;</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l"> In winter days</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l"> I've the cheerful blaze</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l">Of a brotherly sun to heat me.</l></lg> <pb n="7" TEIform="pb" id="d141e459"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">“ At dead of night, from their awful height,</l> <l n="42" part="N" TEIform="l"> Gaze down, with a stillness tender,</l> <l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">The stars, my brothers of love and light,</l> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l"> That fanciful dreams engender.</l> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l"> All one are we,</l> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l"> Star, insect or tree—</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">The oak and the harebell slender.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l">And then a man came striding o'er the rise,</l> <l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l"> And stood before us, and the sunset's glow</l> <l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l">Shone on his face and nestled in his eyes,</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l"> But on his face dark furrows seemed to show</l> <l n="52" part="N" TEIform="l">The record of a bygone strife with fears</l> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">And fancies, and his cheeks were wet with tears.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l">One, with a touch of scorn, said: “You are merry !”</l> <l n="55" part="N" TEIform="l"> At which he laughed, and said : “See here, my friends,</l> <l n="56" part="N" TEIform="l">Is there not love enough on earth to bury</l> <l n="57" part="N" TEIform="l"> All sadness—love enough to make amends</l> <pb n="8" TEIform="pb" id="d141e517"/> <l n="58" part="N" TEIform="l">For all the darkness, pain and misery?</l> <l n="59" part="N" TEIform="l">Yet these shall tremble at Love's face, and flee:</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="60" part="N" TEIform="l">“ For Love is King ! For him the wild bird sings ;</l> <l n="61" part="N" TEIform="l"> For him the budding flowers burst and bloom ;</l> <l n="62" part="N" TEIform="l">Its best for him each living wonder brings ;</l> <l n="63" part="N" TEIform="l"> For him the fire-fly flickers in the gloom.</l> <l n="64" part="N" TEIform="l">Love bids us live as brothers, and shall we</l> <l n="65" part="N" TEIform="l">Reject the only road to liberty ?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="66" part="N" TEIform="l">“ The old law saith ‘that thou shalt love thy neighbour</l> <l n="67" part="N" TEIform="l"> As thou dost love thyself'—ay, even so !</l> <l n="68" part="N" TEIform="l">To love him <hi TEIform="hi">is</hi> to love thyself ; to labour</l> <l n="69" part="N" TEIform="l"> In his behalf, what is it but to sow</l> <l n="70" part="N" TEIform="l">The seed of which thyself shalt reap the harvest ?</l> <l n="71" part="N" TEIform="l">In helping him 'tis thine own fate thou carvest.</l></lg> <pb n="9" TEIform="pb" id="d141e567"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="72" part="N" TEIform="l">“ Ay, all things are in all ! All things are one !</l> <l n="73" part="N" TEIform="l"> Scent, colour, shape and sound are different forms</l> <l n="74" part="N" TEIform="l">Of one same thing ; from the all-seeing sun,</l> <l n="75" part="N" TEIform="l"> The light he sheds, the heat with which he warms</l> <l n="76" part="N" TEIform="l">His child the earth, are one ; and something winds</l> <l n="77" part="N" TEIform="l">About all things, and all together binds.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="78" part="N" TEIform="l">“ But till ye see all this ye cannot live.</l> <l n="79" part="N" TEIform="l"> There is no life in walking on the earth,</l> <l n="80" part="N" TEIform="l">Thinking yourselves its lords. Nothing ye give</l> <l n="81" part="N" TEIform="l"> Without the hope of better. From your birth</l> <l n="82" part="N" TEIform="l">You struggle each with each, and try to smother</l> <l n="83" part="N" TEIform="l">The love which should be shed upon your brother !</l></lg> <pb n="10" TEIform="pb" id="d141e608"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="84" part="N" TEIform="l">“What life is this! To hoard the ancient lies</l> <l n="85" part="N" TEIform="l"> That made your fathers weep; to bow and pray</l> <l n="86" part="N" TEIform="l">To blood-smeared idols, careless of the cries</l> <l n="87" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of bleeding victims; careless that decay</l> <l n="88" part="N" TEIform="l">Hath seized upon your gods, and spiders run</l> <l n="89" part="N" TEIform="l">Across their faces, on the webs they've spun.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="90" part="N" TEIform="l">“Men, men, what life is this! A worn-out creed</l> <l n="91" part="N" TEIform="l"> Is yours; you clothe yourselves in filthy rags,</l> <l n="92" part="N" TEIform="l">The swaddling-clothes of bygone thought; you feed</l> <l n="93" part="N" TEIform="l"> On offal; and you march beneath the flags</l> <l n="94" part="N" TEIform="l">Of Tyranny and robed Injustice; nay,</l> <l n="95" part="N" TEIform="l">You hide your eyes and swear it is not day!”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="96" part="N" TEIform="l">He paused with flashing eyes, and some one said</l> <l n="97" part="N" TEIform="l"> “Poor fellow!” and another: “Is this glen</l> <l n="98" part="N" TEIform="l">The home of madmen?” and a silent dread</l> <l n="99" part="N" TEIform="l"> Descended, till one spake: “He hateth men;</l> <pb n="11" TEIform="pb" id="d141e661"/> <l n="100" part="N" TEIform="l">He is a cynic!” and another hissed:</l> <l n="101" part="N" TEIform="l">“He hateth <hi TEIform="hi">God</hi>, he is an <hi TEIform="hi">atheist</hi>.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="102" part="N" TEIform="l">“Having light, loving darkness rather,” sneered a youth</l> <l n="103" part="N" TEIform="l"> Around whose hollow head rang Gordon's song.</l> <l n="104" part="N" TEIform="l">“Let's go and leave him; in the name of truth</l> <l n="105" part="N" TEIform="l"> Stay here no longer; we have stayed too long</l> <l n="106" part="N" TEIform="l">Already,” said a pallid, pious ape</l> <l n="107" part="N" TEIform="l">Of manliness—a clod in human shape.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="108" part="N" TEIform="l">And HE stood stricken to the heart—as they,</l> <l n="109" part="N" TEIform="l"> In scornful hate and wonder, went—a grand,</l> <l n="110" part="N" TEIform="l">A noble figure, and I longed to say</l> <l n="111" part="N" TEIform="l"> Some word of hope; I took him by the hand,</l> <l n="112" part="N" TEIform="l">We trod the dark ravine, and scaled the height</l> <l n="113" part="N" TEIform="l">Together—and the hill-tops glowed with light.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e716"><pb n="15" TEIform="pb" id="d141e717"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">For A Woman</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">YES, I! Don't touch the bell—I'll not be long,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">But you left the blind up—may I put it down?—</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">And I saw the light and you. So I came in</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Just for a few last words, no high-flown stuff</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Or whining either; sit still just a moment;</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">I'll take this side of the table. But the light</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Dazzles my eyes—there! Now I'm comfortable.</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">I'm going to speak (no beating about the bush)</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">About what's happened, but I warn you now</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">To say not a word against my wife.—Why not?</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">“What's in a name?” Six months will alter that.</l> <pb n="16" TEIform="pb" id="d141e756"/> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">Let's see the story as the papers have it!</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">You are the injured husband—please, sit still,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">And put on your old Stoic mask; I must</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">Say what I have to say; you keep me longer—</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">In every way you were a model husband,</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">Spending your time at home, kind to your wife,</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">Over-indulgent maybe, but that fault</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Brought its own punishment. Here I come in,</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">The faithless friend, taking a base advantage</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Of the trust you placed in me, a lustful wretch,</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">Treacherous—no name bad enough for me!</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">What they say of her I'll not drag out for you</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">To glory in. She was a woman, and better</l> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Than either of us.… Stop! one word's enough!</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">Remember now she's not your wife, but mine.</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">But I respect your feelings. False to you?</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Say true to love!</l> <l n="29" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">This vulgar talk of the street</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">Is true, in a way, from end to end. And now</l> <pb n="17" TEIform="pb" id="d141e819"/> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">Sweep off the fly-blown surface-scum, and I'll show you</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l">What lies beneath; not in my own defence,</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">But to shake you in your self-complacency</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">Into some knowledge of her wrongs—not yours—</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">To be a mirror to you.</l> <l n="36" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">I was her friend</l> <l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">At first, before I knew you. Then you came</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">And she loved you, not for what you were, of course,</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">But for the soul she shadowed for herself</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l">And throned in you. And you, I suppose, were flattered</l> <l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">By her discernment. And my part in this</l> <l n="42" part="N" TEIform="l">Was used against me at the trial, because</l> <l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">I did what I could to help her to her wish,</l> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l">Without her knowledge mostly; was your friend,</l> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l">And in a thousand little ways contrived</l> <pb n="18" TEIform="pb" id="d141e868"/> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">To bring you two together. I was wrong.</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">Late, now, to see it. But her love of you</l> <l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l">Suddenly made me know myself; I loved her!</l> <l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">And all these “far-fetched schemes” of mine were just</l> <l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l">So many secret parings of my heart.</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l">Irony, isn't it?</l> <l n="52" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">You married her,</l> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">If it is marriage when a cold, self-centred</l> <l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l">And analytic nature links itself</l> <l n="55" part="N" TEIform="l">By a formal tie to a soul of youth and longing</l> <l n="56" part="N" TEIform="l">And passionate love of life and all it means.</l> <l n="57" part="N" TEIform="l">You never yielded anything, but lived</l> <l n="58" part="N" TEIform="l">The same old way, letting her have her will,</l> <l n="59" part="N" TEIform="l">But hardly caring what that will might be,</l> <l n="60" part="N" TEIform="l">And never joining in her hopes or fears</l> <l n="61" part="N" TEIform="l">Or pleasures. So her pleasures died. And she,</l> <l n="62" part="N" TEIform="l">Chilled to the heart, withered and pined. I came</l> <pb n="19" TEIform="pb" id="d141e924"/> <l n="63" part="N" TEIform="l">Often to see you—put it that way—saw</l> <l n="64" part="N" TEIform="l">Her disillusionment; and heard you talk</l> <l n="65" part="N" TEIform="l">Of monkeys and amœbæ, when you deigned</l> <l n="66" part="N" TEIform="l">To open your lips at all, regarding her</l> <l n="67" part="N" TEIform="l">As something lower than those same amœbæ,—</l> <l n="68" part="N" TEIform="l">I judge by the attention paid to each—</l> <l n="69" part="N" TEIform="l">While you, no doubt, stood in the van of things,</l> <l n="70" part="N" TEIform="l">The topmost blossom of the tree of life,</l> <l n="71" part="N" TEIform="l">The end of evolution! You had trained</l> <l n="72" part="N" TEIform="l">Your intellect, and prayed into the secrets</l> <l n="73" part="N" TEIform="l">That do no good when they are known, until</l> <l n="74" part="N" TEIform="l">The lower life had been transcended, and you</l> <l n="75" part="N" TEIform="l">Were a perfect man—or as near as possible—</l> <l n="76" part="N" TEIform="l">Holding the scales of reason. So you starved</l> <l n="77" part="N" TEIform="l">The woman's glorious, sympathetic soul,</l> <l n="78" part="N" TEIform="l">As there you pondered on your marble pillar</l> <l n="79" part="N" TEIform="l">And studied earth-worms. And she found in me,</l> <l n="80" part="N" TEIform="l">Although she hardly knew it, what you denied,</l> <pb n="20" TEIform="pb" id="d141e984"/> <l n="81" part="N" TEIform="l">And I was glad to serve her. At that time</l> <l n="82" part="N" TEIform="l">I had no thought of wronging you, and she</l> <l n="83" part="N" TEIform="l">Was always pure—is now! But I worshipped her</l> <l n="84" part="N" TEIform="l">In silence and without a hope.</l> <l n="85" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Time passed,</l> <l n="86" part="N" TEIform="l">Till I grew mad with passion; she held out,</l> <l n="87" part="N" TEIform="l">Although she found, too late for a retreat,</l> <l n="88" part="N" TEIform="l">The meaning of it all. But I was helpless,</l> <l n="89" part="N" TEIform="l">Swept from my feet by a vast flood of flame</l> <l n="90" part="N" TEIform="l">And hurried on, whether I would or no,</l> <l n="91" part="N" TEIform="l">Into a world where common ties of earth</l> <l n="92" part="N" TEIform="l">Were all forgotten, and my love of her</l> <l n="93" part="N" TEIform="l">Was the one thing existent, all-pervading,</l> <l n="94" part="N" TEIform="l">Resistless passion.</l> <l n="95" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Why should I tell you</l> <l n="96" part="N" TEIform="l">What your refined and well-poised intellect</l> <l n="97" part="N" TEIform="l">Can never comprehend. You sat there, blind</l> <l n="98" part="N" TEIform="l">As an owl in the daylight; busied yourself with mud</l> <pb n="21" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1043"/> <l n="99" part="N" TEIform="l">And pointed out the pricelessness of science</l> <l n="100" part="N" TEIform="l">In most grandiloquent phrases.</l> <l n="101" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">In the end,</l> <l n="102" part="N" TEIform="l">When she had yielded to her nature, and you—</l> <l n="103" part="N" TEIform="l">I needn't dwell on that! Then you were angry</l> <l n="104" part="N" TEIform="l">In your calm, passionless way, to think that she</l> <l n="105" part="N" TEIform="l">Should value you so lightly, and that I</l> <l n="106" part="N" TEIform="l">Should not be able to recognise the worth</l> <l n="107" part="N" TEIform="l">Of such a friend.</l> <l n="108" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">I don't disguise my faults</l> <l n="109" part="N" TEIform="l">Or palliate them, but I know them. You</l> <l n="110" part="N" TEIform="l">Are worse than I, because you are ignorant,</l> <l n="111" part="N" TEIform="l">And that's the foulest crime on earth. Good night!</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e1087"><pb n="25" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1088"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Absence</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">FLOW swifter, swifter, weary days,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Adown the slopes of time!</l> <l n="3" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Dance, dance along</l> <l n="4" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">With jocund song,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">And carol in my lady's praise</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Your silver-sounding rime!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Blow, wind, across the foaming sea</l> <l n="8" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And make the waves rejoice!</l> <l n="9" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">And bow the trees,</l> <l n="10" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">O wilful breeze,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">To catch her tones and bring to me</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">An echo of her voice!</l></lg> <pb n="26" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1130"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">But sadly in the chilling wind</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The wailing branches sway;</l> <l n="15" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">No joyous note</l> <l n="16" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Can ever float</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">While wintry spells the season bind</l> <l n="18" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And she is far away.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e1152"><pb n="29" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1153"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Sunrise</head> <p TEIform="p"> <hi TEIform="hi">A Love Song</hi></p> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e1162"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">Prelude—The Quickening Of Day.</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">OCTOBER'S roses are all faded now,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l"> And with carnations full of languid scent</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Imperial Summer wreathes her amorous brow,</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> But I am wrapt in precious discontent,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">For Love has bound me fast, I know not how,</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> As I fled, heeding not the way I went,</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Through free wild woods, and I am forced to bow</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">To her who taught me what my being meant.</l></lg> <pb n="30" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1192"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">I thought my hovering fancy might have strayed</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> Bee-like from flower to flower, but here's an end</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l"> To all my erring thoughts; I never knew</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">The swiftness of the fire with which I played—</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l"> Last month I laughed with you as friend with friend,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l"> But now I have another name for you.</l></lg> </div2> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e1214"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">I. Morning Light.</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">Why should a man call Fancy to his aid</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l"> To sing the beauties of our mother earth</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l"> And all the joy thereof, the endless mirth</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> Tempered with sadness, when the sky above</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">And earth below, with various sheen and shade,</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> Are coloured with the myriad rays of love?</l></lg> <pb n="31" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1237"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Truth, naked as the statue of a god,</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l"> And fairer than the finest fancy wrought</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l"> In living shape by men who clad their thought</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> With reverence, of old, when ecstasy</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Of beauty dwelt with every man that trod,</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l"> Truth, Truth and Love, befriend and speak for me!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Go to my fair-haired love, and whisper low</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l"> The endless song, vibrating through the whole</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of life, and echoing music to my soul</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l"> By day and night till all the air around</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">Is sweeter than the sweetest flowers that blow,</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l"> And all the world is thrilling to the sound.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Whisper it softly, softly, as the fall</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of thistle-down astray within the room;</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l"> Sigh it at eve within the sheltering gloom</l> <pb n="32" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1287"/> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l"> When she is musing lonely and apart,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">That she may sit quite still and hear it all</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l"> As though it were the beating of her heart.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Let it steal on her as a summer dawn</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l"> Steals upon cloudless heavens till the night</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l"> Draws back, and hill and dale, aflush with light,</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l"> Ring loud with quivering songs of many a bird,</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">And golden splendour lies on every lawn:</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l"> Let her not know she hears, till she hath heard.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">I saw her yesterday, stood face to face,</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l"> And drank the voice whose tones are more to me</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l"> Than all the variant music of the sea—</l> <pb n="33" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1329"/> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l"> The “countless laughter,” the despairing cry,</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">The wrath and headstrong frenzy at the base</l> <l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of age-worn crags, and strange love-longing sigh.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">And I must coldly stand as though she were</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l"> Only a woman among women—she,</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l"> Queen of my heart!—yes, I must stand and see</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l"> Her perfect form and all her ways that seem</l> <l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">To claim due love, as though she were not there,</l> <l n="42" part="N" TEIform="l"> As though I saw her image in a dream.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">Or rather, Fortune proves herself more kind</l> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l"> In visions, for I dreamed of some strange land</l> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l"> Where she and I sat close, and her right hand</l> <pb n="34" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1370"/> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l"> Lay on my shoulder, and her left hand lay</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">In mine with fingers trustfully entwined—</l> <l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l"> Such Fortune flies before the light of day.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">I bowed my head and looked into her eyes</l> <l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l"> And then our lips met clinging in a kiss—</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l"> What waking hour, O Love, will give me this?</l> <l n="52" part="N" TEIform="l"> Yet all my spirit unto hers is bent</l> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">In homage, for I know that she is wise;</l> <l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l"> Whatever be her will, I am content.</l></lg> </div2> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e1402"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">II. The Heights Of Joy</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">I laugh, I laugh alone, to think of this—</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l"> That I may see you often, breathe the air</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l"> That gathers round you, sit and see you there</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> Shedding unconscious light upon my life;</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">I laugh, for nothing now can come amiss;</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> My soul is up in arms for any strife.</l></lg> <pb n="35" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1425"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">O, Love, Love, Love! the world is fair indeed</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l"> And beauty dwells in every nook of it,</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l"> But till our souls with love's own light are lit</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> We cannot see what heritage is ours,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">The glory crowning every simple weed</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l"> Resplendent as the crown of choicest flowers.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Till then, we only see the shows of things,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l"> And doubt the goodness of the rhythmic power</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l"> That still throbs on, controlling shine or shower,</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l"> And think that life is blown from bad to worse;</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">We cannot hear God's message, though it rings</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l"> Like marvellous music down the Universe.</l></lg> <pb n="36" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1465"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Upon the farthest twinkling point of space,</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l"> As far as thought can leap from world to world,</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l"> There cannot be a creature who has, furled</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l"> Within his heart, such cause of joy as I,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">As I sit here and look upon your face</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l"> For which a man might be content to die.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Had you no more, I'd fall and worship you</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l"> As men of old before a carven stone,</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l"> But in your breast, as on an orient throne,</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l"> Sits Sweetness clad in robes of perfect white:</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">You are God's messenger and must be true</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l"> For shapes of evil shrink before your sight.</l></lg> </div2> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e1508"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">III. The Flower Of Life</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">Surely I've loved you for a long, long time,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l"> Yea, since the power of love first dawned in me,</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l"> For I have sought you half-unconsciously,</l> <pb n="37" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1522"/> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> And walked like one in sleep, and hardly knew</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">My quest less shadowy than a dream sublime,</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> Until I woke to find the dream was true.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">My life is yours by right, not deed of gift;</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l"> I do not hold it in my hand and say:</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l"> “I give you this to guard or throw away!”</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> No longer do I yield to every breath,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Upon the sluggish sea of self adrift,</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l"> For you have weaned me from my love of Death.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">A word of scorn from you were as a knife</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l"> Thrust home by hate with longing still unsated,—</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l"> Be pitiful to what you have created!</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l"> Like the dark god—whom aged Faith immures</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">In fleshly corse—you breathed the breath of life</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l"> Into my nostrils, Love, and I am yours.</l></lg> <pb n="38" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1572"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">To love you is to be above the reach</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of envy ! Is there aught that can destroy</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l"> The everlasting wealth of golden joy</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of your unworthy servant ? What am I,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">That I should hear the music of your speech,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l"> As sweet as summer rain to meadows dry ?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Yet, though I were the meanest clod on earth,</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l"> A mere waste whim of Nature and a thing</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l"> Past all contempt, even then my love-longing</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l"> Would set me higher ; and I am well content</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">That this my little sum of human worth</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l"> Should bow itself to your arbitrament.</l></lg> </div2> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e1614"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">IV. With The Elizabethans</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">My books have gained in value for your sake,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l"> For though I rather care to lie and think</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of you as last I saw you, and to link</l> <pb n="39" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1628"/> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> My fancies each to each, O Love of mine,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Yet, when I read, fresh feeling seems to make</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> Fresh worlds of meaning lurk in every line.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">My love is wealth-bestowing : I turn again</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l"> With doubled pleasure to my friends of old,</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l"> To walk in Shakespeare's labyrinth manifold</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> And Marlowe's thunderous palaces of cloud,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">I linger long in Lodge's lyric lane,</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l"> And roam at large among the meaner crowd.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">And if they speak of beauty, then I see</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l"> A shadowed face, afloat upon the leaf,</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l"> With honest eyes, and fair above belief,</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l"> Like some bright scene reflected in a stream ;</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">And so the letters blur, and happily</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l"> I glide upon the current of a dream.</l></lg> <pb n="40" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1678"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">There is a hint of you in every word</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l"> In which they tell of maids beyond compare,</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l"> As sweet as budding springtide, and as fair</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l"> As summer nights ; and yet it's but a trace</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">Of what I know, because they never heard</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l"> Your voice, dear heart, nor saw you face to face.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Why, if I had the mind of one of these</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l"> And my own heart, my passion and his power,</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l"> My songs should dazzle heaven like a shower</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of blazing meteors, strong words winged with flame,</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">The world would stand amazed, and every breeze</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l"> Would carry endless echoes of your name.</l></lg> </div2> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e1720"><pb n="41" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1721"/><head type="div2" TEIform="head">V. The Lighting of the World</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">Whether my days be spent in calm or storm,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l"> 'Tis well for me, dear teacher !—this I know,</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l"> That as the uncertain seasons come and go</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l"> We still move on to no uncertain goal.</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Though myriad seeming evils buzz and swarm,</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l"> Laugh fear to scorn and stand erect in soul !</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">You cannot trust the tidings, yet I say</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l"> From you I learned them, dear—ay, love, from you—</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l"> I looked into your eyes, and straight I knew</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l"> Despair was dead to whom I once was thrall,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Had melted into air or fled away</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l"> Self-vanquished, finding Love is All-in-All.</l></lg> <pb n="42" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1763"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Long time I'd hoped and flung my hopes in rime,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l"> Striving in vain to hide the secret rout</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of fierce temptation urging me to doubt The value of my visions ; I would rave</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Of night shot through with dawn, but many a time</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l"> I longed for sleep's last benison in the grave.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">But then you came, I loved, and I was free,</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l"> And life broke forth in music while I faced</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l"> God's light ; I'd sought in a Cimmerian waste</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l"> Of misty gorges for the glorious sun ;</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">I hoped no longer now for victory,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l"> Because I knew the victory was won.</l></lg> <pb n="43" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1801"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">You cannot trust the tidings ? You of all,</l> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l"> That teach the sun his duty ? You whose feet</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l"> Make earth flame forth in grass and blossoms, sweet</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l"> As those of Aidenn ? Lo, the perfect morn</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Waits on you ! Listen for Love's waking call,</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l"> And laugh the leering face of doubt to scorn.</l></lg> </div2> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e1825"><pb n="47" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1826"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Street</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">AN outcast from the world of those who stand</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Proud, virtuous, self-centred, statuesque</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">On spotless pedestals, to those who love</l> <l n="4" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And see God here and now you cannot be</l> <l n="5" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">An outcast from the world.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">I look into your eyes and pierce the bold</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Unflinching film of laughter hung by vice</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">To screen the flickering flame that burns beyond ;</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">But, sister, for the certain sign of God</l> <l n="10" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">I look into your eyes.</l></lg> <pb n="48" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1862"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">I take you by the hand, and I forget</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">The flaunting rags, coarse lips, defiant air,</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">The form which sin has moulded, and the voice</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">That pleads for custom in the filthy street ;</l> <l n="15" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">I take you by the hand.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Fate makes us what we are ; within us all</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">Are possibilities of good and ill,</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">But there are higher heights and deeper deeps</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Than ever man has soared or fallen to.</l> <l n="20" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Fate makes us what we are.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Who knows the end ? Not we, who struggle here</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">Just time enough to wonder what we are,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">And vanish like the bubbles in a creek :</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">The doubtful doom of praise or blame He gives</l> <l n="25" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Who knows the end—not we !</l></lg> <pb n="49" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1913"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">We stand here face to face, and in the street</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">I claim equality with you by right</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Of that humanity we share, and both</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Are better on this flaring night because</l> <l n="30" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">We stand here face to face.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e1932"><pb n="53" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1933"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Love's Invitation</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">SEIZE on the present, for the past is dead,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And all the future looms with stormy sky</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Livid and rumbling, and the dark is nigh—</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">The terrors of a night when overhead</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">The crash of thunder weighs the heart with dread,</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And ceaseless lightnings snake-like writhe and fly</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">About the lift, and all the meadows lie</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Sodden with streaming rain, and love hath fled.</l> <pb n="54" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1963"/> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Forget the future ; let the present shake</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Its petals round us in the sunshine here !</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Forget old pain and taste new joy instead !</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">For one brief moment, live for love's own sake</l> <l n="13" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">In careless pleasure, free from hope and fear :</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Seize on the present, for the past is dead !</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e1985"><pb n="57" TEIform="pb" id="d141e1986"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Kit Marlowe</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">BECAUSE, three hundred years ago to-day,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A spirit that dull custom could not tame—</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A soul of fire that had no part in shame,</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Nor recked what babbling tongues of men might say,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">But trod its wild and self-elected way</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Fearless, and left the rest to love and fame—</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Sprang from unworthy earth like leaping flame</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">But left a name that envy cannot slay ;</l> <pb n="58" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2016"/> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Therefore we meet, strange mixture of divine</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And human, to do honour to your shade ;</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Prince of Bohemia, scôp whose lips have made</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">Our English verse like draughts of fiery wine ;</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Our godlike brother, you whose words have been</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">Fierce joy to us, be with us, though unseen.</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">1<hi TEIform="hi">st June</hi>, 1893.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2044"><pb n="61" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2045"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">To Olive Schreiner</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">FROM the land of listless summer, sob of breeze and hum of bee,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">Where the sunbeams gleam and glitter on the bosom of the sea,</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Comes a message, Olive Schreiner, comes a cry of thanks to thee.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Daughter of the lonely desert, daughter of the lurid waste,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Doubts as dread as thine, in gullies green with fronds of fern and graced</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">With the film of falling waters, have been met and fairly faced.</l></lg> <pb n="62" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2069"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Deep in dells of hidden sweetness, where the crested trees are swept</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">By the skirts of lagging zephyrs, oft a longing lad has leapt</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Down the hillside to the furthest fern-clad noon—and stood and wept.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">Stood, and clenched his fists, and whispered to his friends of brook and bough,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Hissed the words of hate and anguish, beat upon his throbbing brow;</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">Listen to my song, my sister, for that boy is speaking now.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">How I've sat, and gazed, and panted, where the silver streamlet slips</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">Past the she-oaks—by the cavern, where the dewdrop swells and drips!</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">Thou hast spoken, clear and fearless, words which struggled to my lips.</l></lg> <pb n="63" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2102"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Oh! the passion surging upward, yearning for a word of love,</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">When the soul cooped up within us fluttered like a prisoned dove!</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">Oh! the cruel, cruel heavens, staring coldly from above!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Oh! the awful days of madness when they told us “God is good,”</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">And we walked, and thought, and wondered, with the wildness of the wood,</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Full of doubting dreams and longing for the touch of brotherhood.</l></lg> <milestone unit="poemsection" rend="*****" TEIform="milestone"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">Still we tread the rocky valley, where the mountains tower high,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">Cold, relentless, frowning ever, all unheeding of our cry,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">Be it filled with joy or sorrow—only Echo makes reply.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2138"><pb n="67" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2139"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Drinking Song</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">THE moon is bright on glen an' height,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">My heart is wae an' weary;</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">A tear breaks free frae ilka e'e—</l> <l n="4" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Ye winna be my dearie.</l> <l n="5" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">Then, chiels, fill a' your glasses, O,</hi></l> <l n="6" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">An' while the bottle passes, O,</hi></l> <l n="7" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">We'll drink the bonny lasses, O,</hi></l> <l n="8" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">In guid Scotch drink!</hi></l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">I ken that you are fair an' true</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">An' lovin' til anither;</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">But I maun be until I dee</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A leal an' lovin' brither.</l> <pb n="68" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2186"/> <l n="13" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">Noo pass the bottle round again,</hi></l> <l n="14" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">Until my care is drowned again,</hi></l> <l n="15" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">An' I am on the ground again</hi></l> <l n="16" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">Wi' guid Scotch drink!</hi></l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">A bardie's soul may surely thole</l> <l n="18" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A lover's common sorrow,</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">An' aiblins he may chance to see</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Anither luve to-morrow.</l> <l n="21" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">But keep the bottle going, lads,</hi></l> <l n="22" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">An' keep the bumpers flowing, lads;</hi></l> <l n="23" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">There's naething for you growning lads</hi></l> <l n="24" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">Like guid Scotch drink!</hi></l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2236"><pb n="71" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2237"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Hill and Dale</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">WHILE boyhood yet was young in me, I knew</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">Of cool and silent glens wherein there grew</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Bright ferns, and hillsides where the sudden whirr</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Of startled quail was common, and the stir</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Of winds forlorn moved slowly through the trees</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">With long deep sighs, and wings of straying bees</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Made murmurous melodies.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Now they have cleared my fairyland—and oft</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">The crash of old bush heroes marred the soft</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">And multitudinous quiet, and the ring</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Of axes rose where wild birds used to sing</l> <pb n="72" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2277"/> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">For very joy of sunny days, and then</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Rough uncouth huts broke out on hill and glen,</l> <l n="14" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">The wretched homes of men.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">In those past years I used to wander here</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Alone, to seek escape from laugh and sneer</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">And folly of all kinds that make up man;</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">I knew a gully where a streamlet ran</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Past reeds and over rocks, now swift and strong,</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">And now slow-whispering secrets in a long</l> <l n="21" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Sweet purl of summer song.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">There, in a little grot hung round with fern</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">And full of dancing echoes from the burn,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">I used to hide my clothes, and with a glee</l> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Born of the love of light and liberty</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">Would leap and caper down the glen, and shout,</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">And thread the maze of frondage in and out,</l> <l n="28" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">And throw my arms about.</l></lg> <pb n="73" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2336"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Like some young faun I revelled. I would sing</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">Laugh-broken scraps of melodies, and fling</l> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">Myself at length upon the moist warm earth,</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l">Half-mad and drunken with tumultuous mirth,</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">And watch the white clouds floating in the sky,</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">And see the black and yellow butterfly</l> <l n="35" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Go softly sailing by.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Oh, those were glad days! when the air was filled</l> <l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">Of music, and the wayward breezes stilled</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">Their wings and slept with dreams of creek and bird</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">And fancies that the ear, pressed forward, heard</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l">The fronds of fern uncoiling where the sun</l> <l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">Threw moving golden patterns—finely spun</l> <l n="42" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">On sands where ripples run.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">Sometimes I sought a rock-pool, and would spring</l> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l">Into the perfect water-world and fling</l> <pb n="74" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2391"/> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l">Bright drops aloft and watch them darting through</l> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">The shafts of light which pierced the trees that grew</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">About my fount, where every leaf between</l> <l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l">The shadowed waters and the outer sheen</l> <l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">Was veined with vivid green.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l">Then would I gaily knock against the trees</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l">And murmur to the fair-haired dryades,</l> <l n="52" part="N" TEIform="l">That dwelt, meseemed, within, to come and dance</l> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">Over the fresh-grown grass where dewdrops glance</l> <l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l">With stain of blue and green and orange-gold—</l> <l n="55" part="N" TEIform="l">To play and dally till the grey mist told</l> <l n="56" part="N" TEIform="l">That day was growing old.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="57" part="N" TEIform="l">And that old love is strong within me still;</l> <l n="58" part="N" TEIform="l">I feel the longing for the old days thrill</l> <pb n="75" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2439"/> <l n="59" part="N" TEIform="l">My every fibre, and a strong desire</l> <l n="60" part="N" TEIform="l">Burns in my breast like radiant flame of fire,</l> <l n="61" part="N" TEIform="l">And makes me curse the fate that I have found,</l> <l n="62" part="N" TEIform="l">The thought to which my lonely hours are bound,</l> <l n="63" part="N" TEIform="l">The awe that wraps them round.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="64" part="N" TEIform="l">For once, as I went singing down a glade,</l> <l n="65" part="N" TEIform="l">A sudden feeling checked me, and I stayed</l> <l n="66" part="N" TEIform="l">My swinging steps, my voice died out, and then</l> <l n="67" part="N" TEIform="l">In awe-struck mood I left my lonely glen</l> <l n="68" part="N" TEIform="l">Nor e'er turned back; and rock and creek and tree</l> <l n="69" part="N" TEIform="l">Saw me no more. I'd fled humanity—</l> <l n="70" part="N" TEIform="l"><hi TEIform="hi">Myself</hi> I could not flee.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2485"><pb n="79" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2486"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Black Art</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">LET me now conjure up the vision, fair</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">As day-dawn on the waters; let me sing</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">A short, slow song of her whose face I bear</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">This night within my half-closed lids, and wear</l> <l n="5" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Away an idle atom of the Spring.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">Ay, let me now devote a dreaming space</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">To magic (ere I turn myself to sleep),</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">And gaze again upon the absent face</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">And eyes, dark brown, with all the heavens' grace,</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">As awesome, full of meaning, and as deep.</l></lg> <pb n="80" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2522"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Tis done! She stands before me, clad with light,</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A ray from God's own glory, and I sink</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Upon my knees, half dazzled by the sight,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">And doubtful if I dream or see aright,</l> <l n="15" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Afraid to move or breathe, afraid to think.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">The grace of arms, that move as though they knew</l> <l n="17" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And floated to the music of the spheres;</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">The hands whose touch would thrill me through and through;</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">The eyes where sleeping Love is lurking, true</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">As Truth, to waken in the waiting years!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">That dark, sweet mass of hair; the rounded cheeks</l> <l n="22" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">With brown, ripe tint; the subtle curves of limb</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">And waist and breast! And when she laughs and speaks</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">She shames the music of the running creeks,</l> <l n="25" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Till all my senses seem to sway and swim.</l></lg> <pb n="81" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2573"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">And, oh, the lips! Twin sirens of desire!</l> <l n="27" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">So red and delicate, my blood, I wis,</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Pulses with short, strong leaps, and ever higher</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Flames up within my breast the fierce, new fire:</l> <l n="30" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I long to drown all feeling in a kiss.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">I leap towards her, fling my arms around</l> <l n="32" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A yard of air, and stand a moment there</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">In wondering folly, while I stare, astound</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">To lose my self-raised spirit. Then the sound</l> <l n="35" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of my low laughter shudders through the air.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Oh strange, most strange, to think what dreams are these!</l> <l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">To-morrow some fresh flame will blaze as red</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">As this; fresh names will whisper through the breeze</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">As days decay. I brush my dusty knees,</l> <l n="40" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And yawn, and say: “Good night”—and so, to bed.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2624"><pb n="85" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2625"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Dream—Gold</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">You cannot by a word destroy my right</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of having that which is my life. Behold,</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">You have cast me into a pit, where fiends have tolled</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">A dirge for me and gathered in the night</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">To show my inner vision vanished light!</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Agleam on vanished heaps of gems and gold,</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A dazzling world of treasure, wealth untold!</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">I stretch my arms—it flashes out of sight.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Yet—by the might forces that combine</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The universe of atoms—O, my saint!</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">You are enshrined within my soul, a quaint</l> <pb n="86" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2665"/> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">Grotesque unstable tomb, yet music fine</l> <l n="13" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Breathes ever where you lie, till grey time faint</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">In the stone arms of eternity, mine—mine!</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2678"><pb n="89" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2679"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The End</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">IT must be so. My dream is at an end,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And sorrow hangs upon me as a cloud</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">About a mountain peak that towers proud</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">And stern in cold grey dawnings. Shall I bend,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Like the wild oak when vexed with wind, and send</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A plaintive wail to pierce the gloomy shroud</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of misty air?—be weak, and weep aloud</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">For that which all my tears may not amend?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">No! kindest of all cruel tortures,</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Dull and half-dead your safe advice appears</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Because the blood is surging at my ears</l> <pb n="90" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2719"/> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">And feverous madness in my being stirs</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Until I scarce dare trust myself. And yet</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">I love you: Is there room, then, for regret?</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2732"><pb n="93" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2733"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">After</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">A REVELLER at the feast of life was I,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Full of quaint humours born of sparkling wine,</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Though one grave mood, behind the rest, was mine</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Even when my wild laughter pierced the sky.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">I filled a crystal cup and raised it high;</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A liquor cloudy-green and opaline</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">With gleams of crimson—'twas a drink divine!</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">I drank, and cast the empty goblet by.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">It made me mad; I thought the hall was fair,</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The arras splendid, and our food the best;</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">And wondered when they spoke to me of care.</l> <pb n="94" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2773"/> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">From that brief dream I woke, alone, unblessed</l> <l n="13" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Even by that dread friend men term Despair</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">I'm weary, and I only long for rest.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2786"><pb n="97" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2787"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">“Maiden With the Marvellous Lute”</head> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e2791"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">A Dirge</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">OH, visionary form!</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Euterpe, maid divine!</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Who lovest on the sunlit sea to shine,</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Or revel in the shouting storm—</l> <l n="5" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">How pitiful our Kendall's cry to thee!</l></lg> <milestone unit="poemsection" rend="****" TEIform="milestone"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">He clasped thee in his arms and wept aloud</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">With sobbing wail of joy, 'mid gleams of glory,</l> <l n="8" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">But, like the hero famed in story,</l> <l n="9" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">His soul at length divined</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That his fierce-clasping arms entwined</l> <pb n="98" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2829"/> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">No goddess, but a rosy-tinted cloud—</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">A lovely form indeed, but yet a cloud.</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">And then he wandered forth,</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">But wheresoe'er he went—</l> <l n="15" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Whether his steps were bent</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Towards the fateful South or dreamy North—</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">The vision that had blessed his eyes</l> <l n="18" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Had dazzled them to everything;</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">But that one form—that soul that never dies:</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Still did he give his voice to sing</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Thy praise, Euterpe, and the hills that heard</l> <l n="22" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">His voice at eve, upon the breezes borne,</l> <l n="23" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Caught once again, when woke the morn,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">His song, as clear as song of brook or bird,</l> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">In modulations born of brook and bird.</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">And when his voice was stilled</l> <l n="27" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The wind went whispering by,</l> <l n="28" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A moaning horror; and a sobbing cry</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Was heard in nights of rain, and trees were filled</l> <pb n="99" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2892"/> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">With sighing tales of woe and ruined life,</l> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">And hissed words stabbing like a knife.</l> <l n="32" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Is this the guerdon meted out</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">To those who love thee with a wealth of passion,</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">And wring their souls in vain attempt to fashion</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">Some words of love to greet thine ears,</l> <l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Nor mark the multitude that jeers</l> <l n="37" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Their agony—the fools that flout</l> <l n="38" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">One glorified by light from thee</l> <l n="39" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And dazed by one sweet strain of melody—</l> <l n="40" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Drowned deep in blissful pain by hint of melody?</l></lg> <milestone unit="poemsection" rend="****" TEIform="milestone"/> </div2> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e2933"><pb n="103" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2934"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">A Song Of Friendship</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">MY hand in yours, dear friend,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I give you words of greeting—</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Of friendship without end,</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">My hand in yours, dear friend,</l> <l n="5" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">My heart with yours in loving music beating.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">To me amid my grief</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Your darling ways are better</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Than dew to faded leaf:</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">To me amid my grief</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Comes love that makes me evermore your debtor.</l></lg> <pb n="104" TEIform="pb" id="d141e2970"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">And fairer than the light</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Upon a sudden shower,</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">You bless my weary sight,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">And fairer than the light</l> <l n="15" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That breaks upon the night-enfolded flower.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Nor fortune's smiles nor blows</l> <l n="17" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Our love-locked hearts shall sever;</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">Though all the world were foes,</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Nor fortune's smiles nor blows</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Shall alter me, for ever and for ever.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3007"><pb n="107" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3008"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Last Quest</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">So he spake, the hermit hoary</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">Crowned with age's peaceful glory,</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Spake with calm and measured accents</l> <l n="4" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">To the bold Sir Bedivere,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Bedivere, now bent nigh double</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">By remorse and silent trouble</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Ever gathering upon him</l> <l n="8" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">In the quiet, year by year.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">But he scorned the sage's warning,</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">Saying: “When my manhood's morning</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Shone in Arthur's court, good father,</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I was better far than now.</l> <pb n="108" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3051"/> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Then I stood erect and cared not</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">For your gauded beads, and spared not</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">When I met my foe in battle,</l> <l n="16" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Lance in rest and helm on brow.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">“I have sought a grave to rot in.</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">Peace! it is no better; not in</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Feeble wailings in the cloister,</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Not in weeds like these and these</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Lies salvation for me, father:</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">I am old, yet I would rather</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">Fight one fight and die in harness</l> <l n="24" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Than thus babble on my knees.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">“Never shines the sun so brightly</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">On my sloth, as when the knightly</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">Lists were pitched for fair encounter</l> <l n="28" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">In the plain by Camelot.</l> <pb n="109" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3105"/> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Have I lost my skill, I wonder;</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">Once the stoutest faltered under</l> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">Spear of mine when firm and certain</l> <l n="32" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Down the flashing way I shot.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">“Action—let us stand for action!</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">I am worse than Modred's faction,</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">They who fought and never faltered,</l> <l n="36" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Struck and never cared to cease</l> <l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">Till each one of them was lying</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">Still or groaning, dead or dying;—</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">Did not Christ once say He brought us</l> <l n="40" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Rather words of war than peace?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">“Where is now the joy of battle,</l> <l n="42" part="N" TEIform="l">Clash of armour, rush and rattle,</l> <l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">Shock of onset, shout and laughter</l> <l n="44" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Shortly gasped amid the dust,</l> <pb n="110" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3160"/> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l">Brief retreat and sudden rally,</l> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">Blare of beams to sound the sally,</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">Wild encounter, surging, roaring,</l> <l n="48" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Flash of steel in cut and thrust?</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">“After waiting twenty-seven</l> <l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l">Weary years, the path to heaven</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l">Now I see I have mistaken,</l> <l n="52" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Drifting idly on the stream;</l> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">I should pull against the flowing</l> <l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l">Of the waters; I am going</l> <l n="55" part="N" TEIform="l">Down to nothingness, a coward,</l> <l n="56" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Like the phantom of a dream.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="57" part="N" TEIform="l">“Now farewell to silent sorrow!</l> <l n="58" part="N" TEIform="l">Hear me, father: on the morrow,</l> <l n="59" part="N" TEIform="l">Ere the lark with falling music</l> <l n="60" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">All the misty meadow fills,</l> <pb n="111" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3214"/> <l n="61" part="N" TEIform="l">I will don my mail, and taking</l> <l n="62" part="N" TEIform="l">Spear and shield, when day is breaking</l> <l n="63" part="N" TEIform="l">I will bear the load of duty</l> <l n="64" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Out across the circling hills.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="65" part="N" TEIform="l">“Perhaps too late the course is chosen,</l> <l n="66" part="N" TEIform="l">Now my sluggish blood is frozen</l> <l n="67" part="N" TEIform="l">By the frost of age, but gladly</l> <l n="68" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Thus I shake my shackles free;</l> <l n="69" part="N" TEIform="l">I'll no longer rust, and cherish</l> <l n="70" part="N" TEIform="l">Weak regrets, but fight and perish</l> <l n="71" part="N" TEIform="l">In the cause of right, God willing!</l> <l n="72" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">This is not the place for me.”</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3256"><pb n="115" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3257"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Sparrow-Hawk</head> <div2 type="poempart" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div2" id="d141e3261"><head type="div2" TEIform="head">From “Mandeville”</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">HIGH on a rock by the roaring river,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A castle that well might baulk</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">The fiercest onset that e'er was made</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">By robber baron in wayward raid,</l> <l n="5" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Stood frowning down over field and town,</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The Hold of the Sparrow-hawk.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">For many a mile to the east and west</l> <l n="8" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The hold could well be seen,</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">But the peasants dreaded it not a whit,</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">And little the burghers recked of it,</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">For none dwelt there save a lady fair</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That a witch-wife was, I ween.</l></lg> <pb n="116" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3303"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">And a sparrow-hawk in her hall had she,</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That never had stretched a wing,</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">But sat like stone, and mine author writes</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">That whoso watched it three days and nights</l> <l n="17" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Might have what he would, were it evil or good,</l> <l n="18" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">If it were but an earthly thing.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">A many came to the tower and watched</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And had their will, and found</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">That small good came of their high success:</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">They mourned, and thought had they asked for less,</l> <l n="23" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Perchance their joy would not sicken and cloy</l> <l n="24" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">When they had their wishes crowned.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">When the sun was low on a wet grey day,</l> <l n="26" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">A knight to the castle came,</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">And the damsel greeted him well, and he</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Sat late with his eyes on her face, while she</l> <pb n="117" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3357"/> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Sang sad love-lays of the olden days</l> <l n="30" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Till his body was all aflame.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">At glimmer of dawn he began his task</l> <l n="32" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of watching the faery bird;</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">With a voiceless thought and a hope full strong</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">He watched till the coming of evensong,</l> <l n="35" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And his heart was light when the mirk midnight</l> <l n="36" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">In the broad elm branches stirred.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">The arras moved to a straying breath</l> <l n="38" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">By an opening panel freed,</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">And either the gay knight idly dreamed,</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l">Or women stood at his back and seemed</l> <l n="41" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">To whisper near to his straining ear,</l> <l n="42" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">But he laughed and took no heed.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">The next day passed, and the dark drew down,</l> <l n="44" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And the midnight hour came round,</l> <pb n="118" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3411"/> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l">And either the stern knight wildly dreamed,</l> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">Or the torchlight once upon armour gleamed,</l> <l n="47" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And a sudden clang through the long room rang:</l> <l n="48" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">He scowled, but he stood his ground.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">The third day went, and the midnight hour</l> <l n="50" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Drew down in stillness dread,</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l">And either the fierce knight madly dreamed,</l> <l n="52" part="N" TEIform="l">Or a caitiff cursed and a damsel screamed,</l> <l n="53" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And his breath came fast, but the danger passed,</l> <l n="54" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">For he never turned his head.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="55" part="N" TEIform="l">When the birds 'gan twitter, the lady came:</l> <l n="56" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">“There are streaks in the eastern sky,</l> <l n="57" part="N" TEIform="l">Now choose your boon.” And the knight was fain</l> <l n="58" part="N" TEIform="l">Of her lips and arms, and the golden skein</l> <l n="59" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of her flowing hair, and her cheek so fair,</l> <l n="60" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And curve of her breast and thigh.</l></lg> <pb n="119" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3465"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="61" part="N" TEIform="l">“I have great store of the good red gold,</l> <l n="62" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">My lands are broad and fine,</l> <l n="63" part="N" TEIform="l">And I fear no foe; but my boon is this,</l> <l n="64" part="N" TEIform="l">I will have the fire of your lips to kiss,</l> <l n="65" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">On your heaving breast I will seek my rest,</l> <l n="66" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And your body shall cling to mine.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="67" part="N" TEIform="l">“Take heed, take heed, thou heedless knight!</l> <l n="68" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Such a wish as thine may bring</l> <l n="69" part="N" TEIform="l">Shame to thy house, and woe, and scorn,</l> <l n="70" part="N" TEIform="l">For knowest thou not I am faery born?</l> <l n="71" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Seek not thy bane, but choose again,</l> <l n="72" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And crave an earthly thing.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="73" part="N" TEIform="l">“Dear heart, I have seen thy deep dark eyes!</l> <l n="74" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I have heard thy clear voice sing,</l> <l n="75" part="N" TEIform="l">And it sang of death and of love's sweet lore!</l> <l n="76" part="N" TEIform="l">I have touched thy hand, and I long for more,</l> <l n="77" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Thy golden hair and thy breasts half bare—</l> <l n="78" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">So I ask no other thing.”</l></lg> <pb n="120" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3524"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="79" part="N" TEIform="l">“No longer tarry, but get thee gone</l> <l n="80" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">To thy wife and children three;</l> <l n="81" part="N" TEIform="l">For thy lewd desires and thy words so brave</l> <l n="82" part="N" TEIform="l">I shall give thee a gift that thou dost not crave,</l> <l n="83" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">For thy sons ill-fame, for thy daughter shame,</l> <l n="84" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And an infamous death for thee.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="85" part="N" TEIform="l">The woods were glad with the warm sunshine,</l> <l n="86" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The mavis thrilled the air,</l> <l n="87" part="N" TEIform="l">When the knight rode forth from the castle gate,</l> <l n="88" part="N" TEIform="l">His head sunk down with his sorrow's weight;</l> <l n="89" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">His eyes were dim with his future grim,</l> <l n="90" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And glazed with a dull despair.</l></lg> </div2> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3567"><pb n="123" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3568"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Storm</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">LIKE a ship shuddering along the sea</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">When dark-grey clouds fly shredding in the rack,</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And far away a huge bank clambers black</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Above the horizon, rumbling terribly,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">And all men wonder what the end will be,</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Flung heavenward and rushing headlong back</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Into the depth, while all the foamy track</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Hisses and roars and shouts in deadly glee;</l> <pb n="124" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3598"/> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">So now I fly before my thoughts and find</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">No haven, and my spirit vainly broods</l> <l n="11" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">On life and death, now hurled by hope on high</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">With strange exultant laughter, straight declined</l> <l n="13" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Into the gloom of dull despondent moods—</l> <l n="14" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">But yet I know God's sun is in the sky.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3620"><pb n="127" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3621"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">For My Sister</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">STRONGER by far than kinship's casual tie</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Is that strong bond of friendship that unites</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Two hearts in mutual trust, till each delights</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">To rest upon the other; each will cry</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Its hopes and fears, as certain of reply</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">As one of echoes by the frowning heights</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of mountain walls and gorges when the night's</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Soft voice of peace is hushed expectantly:</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">And so we stand together, you and I,</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">For you are good to me, and there are few</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">More dear to me in grief or joy than you,</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">And few hold fast my thoughts while you are by.</l> <pb n="128" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3664"/> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Then, sister, thus in soul I humbly bend</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">And greet you by the sacred name of</l> <l n="15" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Friend.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3677"><pb n="131" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3678"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Serenade</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">THE sky is icy blue, love,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The pale stars coldly shine;</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Chill creeps the drenching dew, love,</l> <l n="4" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">About this form of mine;</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">But my heart is warm and true, love,</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And my heart and soul are thine—</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">My heart and soul are thine!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Dead leaves and hopes are strewn, love,</l> <l n="9" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">On the summer's mournful bier,</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">For the wintry soul of June, love,</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Now clips the shivering year;</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">But I scorn her wild sad tune, love,</l> <l n="13" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">For I know that thou art near—</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I know that thou art near!</l></lg> <pb n="132" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3728"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">A fainting wind now calls, love,</l> <l n="16" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The leaves from the sighing tree,</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">And each as it rustling falls, love,</l> <l n="18" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Seems hissing “Beware!” to me;</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">But I gaze at the silent walls, love,</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And I know that they harbour thee—</l> <l n="21" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I know that they harbour thee!</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3754"><pb n="135" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3755"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Presence of the Bush</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">IN lonely gullies and secluded dells,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And on the rocky hills and by the river,</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">I've whispered many a time</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Soft secrets to the wind that never tells,</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">And many a fairy rhyme</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I've learnt where shade and light together quiver.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">But all too weak am I to tell the tale</l> <l n="8" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The spirits of the sweet bush murmur to me;</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">I strive, but all in vain,</l> <pb n="136" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3788"/> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">To sing the songs of wonderland—I fail</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">To give the notes again</l> <l n="12" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That like a wave of joy thrill through and through me.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">The city has no pleasures like to these;</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">In cramping walls the wind through crannies hisses</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">A curse of rankling hate,</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">But here it whispers love to all the trees,</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">And tinkling brooklets sate</l> <l n="18" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Their laughing souls in melodies of kisses.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">And birds are here, and blossoms with a scent</l> <l n="20" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of summer and the beauty of a dream;</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">But I am dazed, and though</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">My heart is full of music merged and blent</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">In streams of sound, I know</l> <l n="24" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">The light I bring from them is but a gleam.</l></lg> <pb n="137" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3839"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">And I am lapped in glory, and I long</l> <l n="26" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">For strength to share my joy with friend and foe;</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">Ah, friends! ah, brothers mine!</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">If I could blend my longings in a song,</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">As grapes are crushed in wine,</l> <l n="30" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">You might hear words would make your spirits glow.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3862"><pb n="141" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3863"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Picture</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">MISTER! I'm in want o' money; give me some —I won't say “please.”</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">You've got plenty; I've got nothing, an' it isn't altogether</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Through my fault that I'm here loafin', like a scarecrow—Look at these—</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Bet yer hat I didn't mean to choose these rags for rainy weather.</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">I don't cringe an' beg yer money on the common dead-beat plan.</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">But I stop and claim it from yer as a right from man to man.</l></lg> <pb n="142" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3886"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">See my hands! They're rough with labour, but I won't bow down an' whine</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Just because I'm almost starvin'; I won't work upon yer feelin',</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">With a yarn to make yer give me what my manhood says is mine.</l> <l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">Damn yer eyes I'd rather steal it—if yer like to call it stealin'.</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Why should you have fancy dinners till the starvin' poor are fed?</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">You've no right to jam an' treacle while a brother starves for bread!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Why should I be poor an' ragged, while such fools as—that 'un there,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">With his straw hat, strut and gabble, full o' scorn, an' neat an' stately,</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">Thinkin' all the girls is runnin' after 'im? Now, is it fair?—</l> <pb n="143" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3917"/> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Don't you lean agin' the railins'; they've been paintin' of 'em lately—</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">Like enough, he's tight an' spendin' tin on some unholy lark,</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">On the nights when, tired an' hungry, I'm a-dossin' in the Park.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">…. Earned it? …. Look across the road, now—that way!—what d'yer think o' that?</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">See the kid, the little gal there, dirty, dabblin' in the gutter,</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Splashin' round a stinkin' puddle by the carcass of a cat!</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">Does that sort o' picture help to enjoy yer bread an' butter?</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">Taint her fault, I tell yer, mister, that's the life that she endures,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">But while you are still and silent, maybe part of it is yours.</l></lg> <pb n="144" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3949"/> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">She don't have a chance, I tell yer! If she isn't dead before,</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">What'll be her fate, poor devil, when she's eight or nine years older?</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">She'll be beggin' in the street, sir, beggin' like a common whore,</l> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">In the slavery to which your nineteenth century has sold her;</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">That's what's wrong! The blasted system pampers you an' crushes me;</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">'Elp to alter the conditions. Curse yer bloody charity!</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">Thanks! Shake hands! I see you fancy I'm a little off my head.</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l">But a better time is comin', an' it won't be so much longer</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">As the Fat Man thinks before the worker claims an' eats the bread</l> <pb n="145" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3980"/> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">That he earns by honest labour; for the cause is growin' stronger.</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">I'll give you yer money's value—picture of a beggar brat</l> <l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Playin' in a filthy gutter with a putrifyin' cat!</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e3993"><pb n="149" TEIform="pb" id="d141e3994"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Fulfilment</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">LIKE a bird cheered with sunshine after rain,</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">My soul pants joyous music, and is glad</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of your sweet presence, dear, since I have had</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Assurance of your love, and all the pain</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Of strange past folly ne'er must come again</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">To dim those eyes or make your spirit sad;</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">What matter both have been so blindly mad?</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">We see each other's eyes—and we are sane.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Time passes: seize the present moment, dear;</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Cling fast!—I love you—let us take our fill</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Of pleasure! Let us live our lives, and still</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">Banish from out our hearts the bitter fear!</l> <pb n="150" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4037"/> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Borne on the surge of passion's waves, at last</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">Let us forget the miserable past!</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e4047"><pb n="153" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4048"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Sonnet</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">OH! that swift words of fire might leave my pen</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Like lightning on a stormy midnight sky,</l> <l n="3" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">That all the moods that love and hate supply</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Might be expressed to move the minds of men</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">As wind among the branches, that the glen</l> <l n="6" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Might lend its sweetness, and the mountains high</l> <l n="7" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Their melancholy awe, and the long sigh</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Of summer-tide its peace, for surely then</l> <pb n="154" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4078"/> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">My songs would ring sweet chimes in noble ears</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And fill the listening world with melody</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Till every land would quiver at my fame</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">And treasure it through dark and shining years;</l> <l n="13" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Then would all nations learn to worship thee,</l> <l n="14" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Dear love, and bow at mention of thy name.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e4100"><pb n="157" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4101"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">Rouge Et Noir</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">WHY should I be thus shaken by a dream,</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">Than which a baby's babble has more meaning,</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Unless the tedious thoughts that I have traced</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Of late to where they lose themselves in the sea</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Have wronged my sense? And that my friendship, too,</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">Should lay the spell on me To think that love</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Like mine should send a clap of misery</l> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">To cling upon me like a shadowy plague</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">That baffles grappling!</l> <l n="10" rend="indent2" part="N" TEIform="l">Under a sloping roof</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Of twining branches, as I thought, I lay</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">And read, and in among the perfect green</l> <pb n="158" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4144"/> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Of new-burst leaves the sunlight pierced and threw</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">Round splashes of lilac colour on the book,</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">Twinned circles wavering to the sleepy sigh</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">Of noontide, and the gladioles were stirred</l> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">To half-heard rustlings in their yellowing blades</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">And light seed-bearing wands; the lizard sunned</l> <l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">His grace of bronze beside the crisping leaves</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">That the last storm had torn from the trees; afar</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">The steam-boat panted on the river. While</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">I lay with fettered senses, lazily</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">Following Gautama's golden words and deeds,</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">I heard a sound of slowly-wending feet</l> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">Approaching, so I rose and thrust apart</l> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">The boughs and looked; a sad-faced company</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">Of men and maids and children walked adown</l> <pb n="159" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4193"/> <l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">The hillside with its rust of perished ferns,</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">And each of them was clad in spotless white</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">And crowned with faded leaves, and in their midst</l> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">Four young men bare a coffin, over which</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l">Was spread a blood-red pall. There as they went</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">The shrubs and flowers drooped behind them. Then</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">With reverent head I stood, and while they passed</l> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">I plucked the hindmost by the sleeve to ask</l> <l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Whose body lay beneath yon crimson pall;</l> <l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">For answer came two whispered words that struck</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">My soul to dulness, but I watched them go,</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">With one thought in my heart, and on my lips</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l">One single phrase—“He was my friend, my friend!”</l> <pb n="160" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4237"/> <l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">Before the words had died away, the bush</l> <l n="42" part="N" TEIform="l">Had vanished, but the thought remained unchanged.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">Now I was in my sleeping-room, and there</l> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l">With a keen knife I pierced a purple vein</l> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l">Within my arm, and lay awaiting death,</l> <l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">And listening to the dripping of the blood</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">That redly marked the passing time. I heard</l> <l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l">The bees at work in the blossoming tree before</l> <l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">My window, and I heard a lumbering cart</l> <l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l">Toil up the road with picnickers, and still</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l">My blood flowed and my strength ebbed, but I thought</l> <l n="52" part="N" TEIform="l">Of him, the boy I loved, and was content</l> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">To die, for we might meet beyond the bourne,</l> <l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l">Or, though we met not, dreamless sleep were better</l> <l n="55" part="N" TEIform="l">Than waking misery. A distant clock</l> <l n="56" part="N" TEIform="l">Tolled out the hour, and a cow lowed far away,</l> <pb n="161" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4290"/> <l n="57" part="N" TEIform="l">And farther still it seemed to me, my ears</l> <l n="58" part="N" TEIform="l">Being blunted so that the sound of ruddy drops</l> <l n="59" part="N" TEIform="l">Scarce entered, and my strength was almost null;</l> <l n="60" part="N" TEIform="l">All will or power to move had faded out,</l> <l n="61" part="N" TEIform="l">Till I was ripe for the end. Then suddenly</l> <l n="62" part="N" TEIform="l">Before the darkness fell I heard a laugh</l> <l n="63" part="N" TEIform="l">Out in the sunshine, and my name was cried</l> <l n="64" part="N" TEIform="l">In joyous tones; his foot scattered the gravel</l> <l n="65" part="N" TEIform="l">As he ran through the garden, but I lay</l> <l n="66" part="N" TEIform="l">Powerless, and the horror beats amain</l> <l n="67" part="N" TEIform="l">At my temples as I write; I crushed my force</l> <l n="68" part="N" TEIform="l">Into a single knot for one last cry,</l> <l n="69" part="N" TEIform="l">To shout his name, and, with the effort, woke.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e4334"><pb n="165" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4335"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">We Meet</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">I TOUCHED you as I passed you in the street</l> <l n="2" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And for one moment looked you in the eyes—</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Dark eyes and restful, sweet,</l> <l n="4" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">But full of baffled wonder and surmise;</l> <l n="5" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">I think you saw within my soul arise</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">The mad desire to perish at your feet.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">A vague remembrance of some awful pain</l> <l n="8" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Down the dark slopes of some forgotten age</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">Beat loudly in my brain,</l> <l n="10" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">And love that death himself could not assuage</l> <l n="11" rend="indent1" part="N" TEIform="l">Sang in a tone unknown to fool or sage.</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">We passed, and we may never meet again.</l></lg> </div1> <div1 type="poem" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="div1" id="d141e4378"><pb n="169" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4379"/><head type="div1" TEIform="head">The Unfading Vision</head> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="1" part="N" TEIform="l">HERE! 'twas here I sat that morning, change hath never set her feet</l> <l n="2" part="N" TEIform="l">On this heap of rocky wildness where the gurgling waters meet—</l> <l n="3" part="N" TEIform="l">Meet and sing and dance together, nodding to the thirsty tract,</l> <l n="4" part="N" TEIform="l">Leap and laugh and hurry onward to the roaring cataract;</l> <l n="5" part="N" TEIform="l">Down the darkly-frowning gorges, past the crouching, twisted trees,</l> <l n="6" part="N" TEIform="l">Seeking other streams that saunter slowly to the distant seas.</l> <l n="7" part="N" TEIform="l">Here I sat and watched the breezes scud along the dark hillside.</l> <pb n="170" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4406"/> <l n="8" part="N" TEIform="l">Where across the stunted grasses ghostly shadows sweep and glide,</l> <l n="9" part="N" TEIform="l">And the darkness mounts at even from the glen with stealthy stride.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="10" part="N" TEIform="l">But I dreamed and saw before me, shining on the beaming hills,</l> <l n="11" part="N" TEIform="l">Forms that smiled and beckoned upward, and their brightness thrilled, and thrills</l> <l n="12" part="N" TEIform="l">All my being, and the runnels of my blood were charged with fire,</l> <l n="13" part="N" TEIform="l">Till my soul was as a furnace of insatiable desire,</l> <l n="14" part="N" TEIform="l">And I rose to leave the twilight of the place where doubtful sheen</l> <l n="15" part="N" TEIform="l">Blotched the rocks that flanked the gully, gazing longingly between:</l> <l n="16" part="N" TEIform="l">But methought the glade beneath me, glooming upward from below,</l> <pb n="171" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4437"/> <l n="17" part="N" TEIform="l">Echoed round with human echoes, shouts of hate and shrieks of woe,</l> <l n="18" part="N" TEIform="l">Till a mighty horror bound me—chained me—and I could not go.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="19" part="N" TEIform="l">Then I wept, and cried: “My brothers, leave the harbourage of night,</l> <l n="20" part="N" TEIform="l">Cease your strife and sorrow, brothers, clamber upward to the light,</l> <l n="21" part="N" TEIform="l">Let us mount together, brothers!” but the clash of strife alone</l> <l n="22" part="N" TEIform="l">Rang upon the air and rent it, shriek and sob and curse and groan,</l> <l n="23" part="N" TEIform="l">And the shining heights above me stood with glittering peak and spire</l> <l n="24" part="N" TEIform="l">Where the glorious shapes were calling, clad in robes of opal fire.</l> <l n="25" part="N" TEIform="l">“Mystic maiden,” then I murmured, “thou, and thou alone, canst save!</l> <pb n="172" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4468"/> <l n="26" part="N" TEIform="l">Soul of love and music, teach me how to follow with the brave,</l> <l n="27" part="N" TEIform="l">Come as thou didst come to help me weeping on a comrade's grave.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="28" part="N" TEIform="l">Lo! a voice like flowers breathing all their souls upon the air</l> <l n="29" part="N" TEIform="l">Answered: “I am here to help you—here to comfort your despair.”</l> <l n="30" part="N" TEIform="l">There she stood in all her beauty, smiling, graceful, fair, and warm,</l> <l n="31" part="N" TEIform="l">And her fragrant hair was softly floating round her shapely form;</l> <l n="32" part="N" TEIform="l">So I bent in supplication: “Help!” I cried, “the kindly skies</l> <l n="33" part="N" TEIform="l">Nestle down upon the hill-tops and the spirits cry ‘Arise!’</l> <l n="34" part="N" TEIform="l">But this hell that seethes around me holds me here, and all in vain</l> <pb n="173" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4499"/> <l n="35" part="N" TEIform="l">Wing my cries—they will not hear me! are they wedded to their pain?</l> <l n="36" part="N" TEIform="l">Here behold the gloom I flee from, there the glamour I would gain.”</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="37" part="N" TEIform="l">Then a sorrow, sinking through her, deepened in her pensive eyes,</l> <l n="38" part="N" TEIform="l">As she answered low: “I see them, and I hear the grating cries</l> <l n="39" part="N" TEIform="l">Rising from the chaos; never may you gain the heights above,</l> <l n="40" part="N" TEIform="l">Downward, downward to the darkness, follow in the steps of Love.”</l> <l n="41" part="N" TEIform="l">And she stepped amid the tumult, bringing peace and bringing light,</l> <l n="42" part="N" TEIform="l">So I followed—but above me hung the summits glowing bright.</l> <l n="43" part="N" TEIform="l">Oh! I longed for space to live in, open skies and spreading view,</l> <pb n="174" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4531"/> <l n="44" part="N" TEIform="l">Meadows stretching to the distance, fair with grass and gleaming dew;</l> <l n="45" part="N" TEIform="l">But the gloomy valley hoarded greater treasure than I knew.</l></lg> <lg type="stanza" org="uniform" sample="complete" part="N" TEIform="lg"><l n="46" part="N" TEIform="l">There the maiden dwelt for ever, and I bowed before her will,</l> <l n="47" part="N" TEIform="l">And her very presence, somehow, seemed insensibly to fill</l> <l n="48" part="N" TEIform="l">Every spot with light and pleasance, and I followed her and trod</l> <l n="49" part="N" TEIform="l">In her footsteps, and I worshipped her as Christians worship God—</l> <l n="50" part="N" TEIform="l">She was life to me; and after, when I thought upon the heights</l> <l n="51" part="N" TEIform="l">That were glinting, gleaming, glowing with their opalescent lights,</l> <l n="52" part="N" TEIform="l">Back I turned to other fancies of a maiden past compare,</l> <pb n="175" TEIform="pb" id="d141e4562"/> <l n="53" part="N" TEIform="l">Of a maiden clad in beauty and a wealth of flowing hair,</l> <l n="54" part="N" TEIform="l">Of a maiden ever youthful—and I ridiculed Despair.</l></lg> </div1> </div0> </body> </text> </TEI.2>
http://ns.ausnc.org.au/corpora/austlit/source/bresong#Raw