Part 2

I heard the wind in the trees The stir of the leaves in the white birch tops Then sat alone with my past till dawn Crept over the edge of the leas And a dull red line was drawn In the East. There memory stops.

We do not follow our lives As the almanacs run. I lived that night Three years in the past and three to be.... As foam that the sea-wind drives My thoughts sped on--three years and three, Marked by this lock of white.

THE WIND UPON A SUMMER DAY

The wind upon a summer day How sweet it is! The shaking trees, The shifting shadows as they lie Across the grass, the bending rye, The blue flowers in the grain,--and you To love the livelong summer through-- There are no sweeter things than these.

The dawning of a winter day How sad it is! The leafless trees, The frozen meadow lands that lie Leaden beneath a snowy sky; The old year’s bitterness,--and you To lack the livelong winter through-- There are no sadder things than these.

ON THE NORMAN CLIFFS

The summer fields sweep to the farther blue Crimson with poppies, yellow gold with grain. They roll their warm wealth seaward--thus to you I bring my boundless love. Dearest, in vain Would I bestow its treasure otherwhere; It floods to find your heart--enfold it there!

The land’s caress the far seas never knew; Not on the wave falls the sweet rain of gold. Far lie the changeful waters, pure and cold, Sundered by the high cliffs: thus I from you By Fate am kept a universe apart. And yet my constant thought inspires me To seek to lay my love upon your heart.

MID-WINTER

On this midwinter afternoon, When all the sky is cold and grey, What power can change the white world’s rune To a midsummer holiday?

The branches of the leafless trees, Bent in the pathway of the storm, Give up their buds to orchard bees, The atmosphere is soft and warm.

And from a thousand rose-hearts, too, The air delicious fragrance yields; The birds fly up against the blue, The Summer ripens on the fields.

Thou art with me! This happy thought, That all the birds of love unchains To the white world, has Summer brought Through warmth of Summer in my veins.

MARE PLACIDO

Across the tossing tumult of my sea The peaceful current of your Spirit flows. The ships attain their harbours, enter free Beyond the pale horizon’s line of rose. Tempests are banished from these miles serene: Held cloud-free, wind-free, by your love’s control, My sea shall yield its deep-bed treasure soon! Mirror the evening star,--the cloud,--the moon: Tranquil, as tho’ no storm had ever been-- My sea shall be the mirror of your soul.

IN THE GREENWOOD

I fly like a bird to my home that lies Far in the west, by a fair green hollow. The straight, fine, meadow-line runs with the skies: A clear horizon for sight to follow, To leave, then rest where the zenith’s blue, Blue of the bluest, like my love’s eyes!

I leave the noise of the busy mart; The small stream’s mouth with its shining shallows; I go with its going; till here, apart, Hid by rushes and low white mallows, Hushed in its singing it lieth deep-- Deep of the deepest, like my love’s heart!

I will sleep and dream while the shadows move And the slant of the sunlight falleth yellow. I will wake to the note of the greenwood dove As it calleth low to its distant fellow:-- Where life of the fields and the woods is pure, Pure of the purest, like my love’s love!

EVENING TIME

To-night I watch the sun go down, Blood-red it sinks behind the hills. The deep low-lying valleys brown, The wheat fields, and the daisied down, The bright, mist-shrouded radiance fills.

Across the surface of the pond The small trees throw their dark shadows: Whilst in the outlying wood beyond The deeper darkness broods and grows.

The day is no awakener To greater beauty, than day’s wane. The little leaves that move and stir Make noise as of the sound of rain.

The very air is gone to rest, And long and black the shadows lie, As over all the crimson west The darkness follows up the sky.

* * * * * Good-night!--until the sun shall send Along the east a shining mark! In answer to my greeting, Friend, You seem to call across the dark.

IN THE WINDOW

Oh ... my love comes to me to-night, After the weary days. And I must trim the candle bright And light a cheerful blaze.

Then close within the window stand, As down the silent streets My heart shall hear his coming, and How it knows, and beats!

His footstep falls from stair to stair, (Oh my love is my own!) I wear a ribbon in my hair That only he has known.

His kiss upon my palms he left; I hold its message, still. Long days have made his soul bereft, To-night ... he takes his fill!

In winter-time, in summer too, In sunshine, and in rain. Love waits for love, the wide world thro’. (Alas ... for watches vain!)

As in my window, hid I stand; (Would all so blest might be!) His step is on the threshold, and My love has come to me.

THE GLASS

When I am old! Oh Love, who well can say Whether within a year, a month, a day Or six times ten years that dead time shall come When Hope is pale and wan Desire stands dumb, And Love though living, clasps with fingers cold, When we are old.

I think, perhaps, that Boundary’s dim outline Will not be crossed by these swift steps of mine, But while Desire is warm, and Hope still thrills I shall go hence and look from unseen hills On mighty scrolls of centuries unrolled, I still not old.

To Be: unpierced by Vision. Break the Glass! But if fourscore and ten my years should pass, Witness, dear eyes! Mine, looking back, shall see Towers of strength, and Peaceful Seas, and Thee, And Love, a fragrant cerement, my heart shall fold When I am old.

THREE DAYS MORE....

Not love’s command Could dry one league of sea; Or even God’s hand Fold up one mile of land, To bring you sooner unto me!

There are but three more days to climb-- To-day, to-morrow, and its mate, Till that day!... Did love know to wait Would it be love? Not in my time Or in my blood! My thought, elate, Swells like a rising sea to flood Covering barren days between And brings you (as love should) Till you stand there--my lord, my light, my good!... Ere the frail screen Of fancy falls to my embrace Sudden, the spell snaps short to Fate! Till that day--when I see your face-- There are still three dark days to climb, To-day, to-morrow, and its mate.

LOVE’S PARADOX

I love you more with every rising day With every waning sun I love you more. Love walketh with me on the outward way, It stands to meet me at the open door. It singeth low when other sounds clash loud; It keeps me lonely ’mid a changing crowd.

I love you most when I am far away; I love you most when on your heart I rest; I love you most when rapture has its sway, I love you in your still caresses best. In restfulness, or when your pulses beat-- All times, forever, most I love you, Sweet!

VITA, VITA!

The flight of the years pursues me. And nothing is done! Nor gained, nor made, nor accomplished-- Only Youth--lost. Slave to the pleasure that fetters, (nor would be free,) Tired of the light before the disk of the sun Is more than half of a circle! Stunned at the cost Of full free living, and nothing wherewith to pay The long close score that blights with its fearful truth-- _But my Youth_.

THE SLEEP

Love in a life and after life--_the Sleep_! And we hang on a word, a look, and keep The pulses throbbing,--make the Spark burn low,-- And close the Book, to laugh perhaps, to weep Most surely! if, oh gods! we may but know Love in life!

Our burning hands we raise For dear palms’ clasp, and kisses on the lips, And close embrace. We give our nights and days, In the one draught delectable our spirits steep, Forgetting--(whilst the lights of Love eclipse--) _The Sleep_.

THE REWARD

I heard the little cricket cry Last night in the dull rain--as I Put on my dark, my sombre dress. (I had no ear for happiness!)

And as I braided up my hair I saw the white threads, silvered there, And on my cheeks the mark of tears, My only kisses thro’ the years.

Sudden--that little voice I heard-- Finer than call of cheerful bird. A human--tender--crying sound In the low grasses near the ground.

Just as I said:--“_I will take Cheer Instead of Joy!_”--Your footsteps, Dear, Fell on the garden walk ... and when I put my candle out,--.... Again

Late in the night I heard it plain The cricket, singing in the rain.

LES REVENANTS

My only light is candle-light From candles fitly set In sconces, dazzling. Long threads, half melting, cling To snowy candle-masts, and fret The straight, slim forms, and I shall sit Alone, until the Spirit stirs These lily lights (for they are conjurers). From the high corners, shadows flit Across the floor: and One shall bring Back all my soul has loved and missed. And the dim others fade when we have kissed. But one remains, and I am one with it.

My only light is candle-light From candles burning down Till each flame flickers into night. Is it the perfume slight From shadow hair and shadow gown Unseals my long-locked senses? Or, Light touching hands and lips that fill For me the waste of time, caress until I live as I have lived before?

My only light shall be the candle’s light, To summon shades and mysteries Until my solitary spirit sees Your shadow steal across the shining floor.

THE BOON

At break of day when shadows fly And still the earth is white with dew, When light soft mists on hillside lie And, stirring purple meadows thro’, The morning wind moves like a sigh, Oh I awake then quietly! Earth’s sullied things draw never nigh When thus the day from God is new And from a dim far place on high On the chaste line of day and night Where holy thoughts the souls imbue Who wake, praise God, keep pure, walk right A boon comes ... is’t not blest that I Walk thus thro’ fields of God with you At break of day when shadows fly?

THE SIGN

Last night I felt your kisses on my face, Softer than April fall of wind-flowers; Sweeter than summer rain upon the grass; Sweeter than the light wind, that in the South Wakes, and in groves of myrrh and cassia stirs. I bent with parted lips to kiss your mouth-- Straightway there fell a fine thin veil between. There stood the trees in level rows, The sunlight filled the trembling green Of the leaf-sea, in the fair close.

By these straight boles, under these slender boughs, Throughout the days of midsummer, I stand Until God part the veil with shining hand And show me where you sit within His house Holding the seven-sparred star, whose name is Love. The time, though long, I know comes fast apace Because of the sweet sign you told’st me of,-- _Last night I felt your kisses on my face_.

[Illustration: SONGS]

SONGS

THE FIRESIDE

Bitter cold the winter street, Cold and grey the sky: Bitter cold the veil of sleet The winds drive by.

Warm and bright the fireside, Red the flames with cheer; What can winter’s woe betide Us, Dear?

On my hand I feel your palm As a bird lie warm: Oh the fireside is calm! It hears no storm.

Bleak the winter street and cold; Red the flames with cheer; Love and firelight enfold Us, Dear.

LOVE--WHERE YOU GO!

Love, where you go December’s air grows warm, Birds bend the barren branches to their song And flowers spring, your coming steps to charm. Bursting the band of ice, and frosty thong. Over the highways prisoned in by snow They fling a garden in old winter’s scorn! Saying, “The lovely spring is here ... we know!” The sombre heart of midnight pales to morn Love-- where you go.--

Love, where you go, grows my heart glad enow, My being’s pulse is tune with ecstasy. I find a ballad on each bending bough. I take my lute from off the greenwood tree To wake the dearest melody I know. I’ll fling my songs broadcast, to heaven’s blue Where the stars think your eyes are stars below.... My soul finds its one paradise with you-- Love-- where you go.

COSTANZA SINGS....

My Love is a rider! (and life’s at its pace!) He rides to the battle--he rides to the chase. His armour is burnished, his nodding plume’s curled. (And would I could follow him over the world!)

Nor distance, nor danger can keep us apart. He comes with the shadows and lies on my heart. He’s gone when the midnight its pinions has furled. (And would I could follow him over the world!)

I’d gladly arise--don bonnet and sword, And follow the steps of my Love and my Lord. I’d stand by his side when the lances are hurled. (And would I could follow him over the world!)

MAY IN FEBRUARY

When I go a Maying--Maying-- There his wanton wishes go! Spring, like flowers, to meet me straying.... I must pluck them--will, or no! I must break each pale stalk slender: I must lift each flower fair; For I know they are the tender Thoughts of love that greet me there....

* * * * *

I will wear them on my bosom.... In the night, when he comes home He shall see his thoughts in blossom, Oh Beloved Spring-time, Come!

BRIER ROSE

In among the tall weeds There lives a brier rose. Bright among the rugged reeds She bends and blooms and blows. The ragged bloom around her grows, And rough and rude her bed: But kisses of the wind she knows, And blushes warm and red.

The sunny moor before her lies The stream runs bright and clear. She does not reck o’ sombre skies, Nor knows the changing year. She has no ken o’ winter drear, Nor dreads the frost and storm: For summer winds have called her _Dear_, She blushes red and warm.

THE SLEEPING HEART

My heart is in the hawthorn tree. I left it in the lovely house, Hidden among the blooming boughs. And every little crimson rose, That blushes, reddens, pales or glows, Shall give its secret up to thee! My heart is in the hawthorn tree.

My heart is in the hawthorn tree! It wears a fragile, rose-red dress: A robe of spring-time loveliness. It has forgot its songs to sing, And sleepeth like a tired thing,-- To dream new songs, to sing to thee.-- My heart is in the hawthorn-tree.

ABSENCE

O darling-- “My darling!” And this is all you say? And what are words of love and cheer When one is far away? O darling-- “My darling!” A word is more than none And if you say what I would hear You’ll fill the world with sun O darling-- “My darling!”

TO-MORROW

Where is all the sunlight gone Dearest heart and dearest? Will it come again with dawn Dearest heart and dearest? Will it, stealing after night, Fold the waking hours, till bright To-morrow breaks the clearest, Best, of every day we’ve had Fresh and gay and good and glad? _Dearest heart--and dearest!_

OLD TIME MELODY

I’m pining away for the way I’d go, I’m pining away for the things I’ve seen, For the joy of the fall of the first white snow, And the sweep of the forest green.

But it’s not for the home-land, broad and fair; The house on the hill, or the old ways spread;-- For why should I wander here or there, Since you went down to the dead?

I’m pining away for the love you gave, For the world that you made, when your life lay here. And the path to the country beyond the grave Is the way that I pine for, dear!

THOUGH ALL BETRAY

Dearest, give your love to me,-- I will keep it well, Cradle it, as does the sea Hold the shell-- Deep, unseen, and secretly.

Dearest, give your kiss to me,-- I will keep tho’ all assail: As the temple prayerfully Holds the Grail. Altars then my lips shall be!

Dearest, give to me your trust,-- I will not betray.... Hold it, as the beacon must Hold the ray, Till the lighthouse stones are dust.

BREAK THY SLEEP

When to-night, the shining snow Fell on forest brown and lea, Hanging diamonds on the tree;-- When the dazzling world below Lifted up, all brilliantly, Stars again, to stars to throw;-- Then I thought of thee...! White the winter forests sweep Down to meet the midnight sea,-- Dearest, break thy charmèd sleep, Dream a winter dream of me.

RED ROSES

The rose that comes on winter’s day It is the rarest rose--(they say) To venture forth so bright and bold, With velvet leaves and heart of gold, To wear so brave array:-- Daring the icy atmosphere, Your winter roses, greet me--Dear And love, all warm amid the snows, Comes with the rose.

SONG

As the days Go their ways; And the months, and the years, Bring their laughter and their tears,-- And their range Of turn and change-- All the old, Away we fold,-- With the moth, And the dust; Nothing loth Since we must Have the new! As the days Go their ways One thing stays-- My love for you.

SLUMBER SONG

(The White Elf Mother sings.)

When the low flying wind, awake, Brushes the lilies, and the low Blue flowers hidden in the brake,-- When the sighing Alders bend and shake,--

When the owl’s whirring,--Hush thee, dear! For all the elfin lights aglow Will guide the slumber fairies here, Naught is stirring For my child to fear.

When the strange sighing tree-tops sing, Dance all the fairies to and fro And white dreams from their mantles fling, While the flying Winds thy cradle swing.

When the low crooning insects cry Creep the white elves soft, and slow, Hush thee, Sweet! and hear the merry Pipes a-tuning For thy lullaby!

FANTASY

I hear the fluttering wind, I see The shadows on the grass. I wish that you would come to me! I would not let you pass! But springing up from where I lie, I take you in my arms, would I! I’d tell you where white heather grows, I’d kiss you, and I’d hold you close, I would not let you pass!

Here, by my side, you’d watch with me Cloud shadows on the grass. If chance that you should come may be, I will not let you pass! Where the lost faerie kingdoms lie, I’ll tell in wonder-tales--will I! And as the brilliant fancy grows, I’ll kiss you, and I’ll hold you close, I will not let you pass!

[Illustration: ROUNDELS

ALBERT HERTER]

ROUNDELS

THE INSPIRATION

These songs I sing to you, who song inspire. Would I a message new might find and bring! Or touch with a live spark of heavenly fire These songs I sing!

Take them, for they are doves with fluttering wing,-- They try to reach your window: lift them higher-- Up to your heart--there warm and nestling They shall find home, and life! If love aspire Shall it not speak? To voice a holy thing, To voice the heart’s deep need--the soul’s desire These songs I sing.

LUCE ADORABILE

You came to me when I had turned and said:-- “This, in my darkened life can never be, My ways are in the stumbler’s paths instead!” You came to me High and unprejudiced and spirit free. Wearing God’s seal upon your pure forehead, Dearest, you bent from your bright way to see My flickering torch: your own, live-flashing, red Rekindled the faint flame. Thus holily, A radiance, a light when light had fled, You came to me.

TEACH MY SONG

Kind and Dear you are, and Brave and Strong. Life has taught you worth of smile and tear; Still your spirit’s tenor flows along Kind and Dear.

Turn to me, on whom for many a year Fate has wrought its work of bitter wrong; (Scarce my veilèd vision sees you clear!)

On your brow is Peace, to you belong Life’s best gifts, oh lend me Faith and Cheer! Show me Truth and Beauty, teach my song, Kind and Dear!

THE APOSTROPHE

Go, unsaid thought, wordless and songless both! With fluttering pinions, still unseen, unsought, Circle the spirit’s white flame like a moth-- Go--unsaid thought!

Go to the one by whom my soul is taught; Go--wing your joyous journey, nothing loth Like sunbeams in the hearts of lilies caught,

Like perfume that eludes, yet lingereth;-- Until your subtle mission’s fully wrought-- To charm, as a dear dream’s pale image doth,-- Go--unsaid thought!

CARRIER DOVES

Friend, unto thee I bend my constant thought; Its current running as a stream to sea, From hidden sources of my being brought, Friend, unto thee.

If the wise wonders of the world could be Found by a spell, sure my quick love had sought Each potent and elusive mystery.

Into an amulet together wrought To charm thee! With this full confession free-- I loose my doves to-day, their ways are taught, Friend, unto thee!

THE NEW FRIEND

Friend--my restless spirit never knew What good gifts the heavens kept late to send Till the dear day dawned that brought me--_you_, Friend!

Lacking love like this, too many wend Graveward. Highest heaven holds few Joys like this, with cruel pain to blend.

I who know not Peace may feel its dew; I who have no prayers may kneel and bend In this gentle presence;--dear and new Friend!

L’OISEAU DES BOIS

Last night I heard in the wood green and still, The sweetest music sung by any bird. I never knew the soul of song, until Last night I heard.

Pure as life’s morning, warm as love first stirred, Fresh it outpoured our close attent to fill. Dearest, you were beside me, and your word Did through the heavenly harmonies distil The spirit’s joy: and grosser sense was blurred. I never knew the soul of Love, until-- Last night I heard!

GOD’S IS THE NIGHT

Good night,--Love rules the world,--Sleep you!-- There is no evil in Love’s sight. See how heaven’s lamps swing in the blue,-- Good night! Oh what avails the futile flight Of thought to bless the long dark through? _Deep is the darkness_, and, despite Of Love, our care is frail to do For those we love: but all is right, _God’s is the darkness_; friend, to you-- Good night!

CHRISTMAS

Dearest ... for thee I make my Christmas song! A song of holly and of fragrant tree, Of festivals, that sweep their happy throng, Dearest, for thee!

Look ... how the folding snow is on the lea; See the fine hoar frost lie the hedge along And the white holy stars shine mistily. A Christmas gift held high, though winds are strong, A warm and glowing gift, though ice may be, Comes star-blest, Christ-blest, over pain and wrong, Dearest, for thee!

LOVE’S UNIVERSE