The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
127
VIII. RUSHLIGHT LOVE
He gave you love for an hour,
He gave you gold for a day,
My sweetheart, my wonderful flower;
He tempted you, led you astray.
But I would have given my heart to you,
Darling, my love and my pride;
Opened its every part to you,
Made you my being's bride!
He gave you gold for a day,
My sweetheart, my wonderful flower;
He tempted you, led you astray.
But I would have given my heart to you,
Darling, my love and my pride;
Opened its every part to you,
Made you my being's bride!
What did he give you? Riches!
What are they all but a dream?
Wait but till Death's hand twitches
The curtain—away they stream.
I would have given you passion
Pure as God's love, and as free:
I would have loved in the fashion,
Love, of the stars and the sea.
What are they all but a dream?
Wait but till Death's hand twitches
The curtain—away they stream.
I would have given you passion
Pure as God's love, and as free:
I would have loved in the fashion,
Love, of the stars and the sea.
128
Love, you have chosen the lesser:
Mine was an infinite boon.
You might have been the possessor,
Queen, of the stars and the moon!
What did you choose? No sky-gift,
Endless, marvellous, grand,
But a rushlight dear at a farthing
That flickers and melts in your hand.
Mine was an infinite boon.
You might have been the possessor,
Queen, of the stars and the moon!
What did you choose? No sky-gift,
Endless, marvellous, grand,
But a rushlight dear at a farthing
That flickers and melts in your hand.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |