Robert Louis Stevenson: Collected Poems Edited, with an introduction and notes, by Janet Adam Smith |
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 | Robert Louis Stevenson: Collected Poems |  |
XI
Death
We are as maidens one and all,
In some shut convent place,
Pleased with the flowers, the service bells,
The cloister's shady grace,
In some shut convent place,
Pleased with the flowers, the service bells,
The cloister's shady grace,
That whiles, with fearful, fluttering hearts,
Look outward thro' the grate
And down the long, white road, up which,
Some morning, soon or late,
Look outward thro' the grate
And down the long, white road, up which,
Some morning, soon or late,
Shall canter on his great, gray horse
That splendid acred Lord
Who comes to lead us forth—his wife,
But half with our accord.
That splendid acred Lord
Who comes to lead us forth—his wife,
But half with our accord.
With fearful fluttered hearts, we wait—
We meet him, bathed in tears,
We are so loath to leave behind
Those tranquil Convent years,
We meet him, bathed in tears,
We are so loath to leave behind
Those tranquil Convent years,
So loath to meet the pang, to take
(On some poor chance of bliss)
Life's labour on the windy sea
For a bower as still as this.
(On some poor chance of bliss)
Life's labour on the windy sea
For a bower as still as this.
67
Weeping we mount the crowded aisle,
And weeping after us
The Bridesmaids follow—Come to me!
I will not meet you thus,
And weeping after us
The Bridesmaids follow—Come to me!
I will not meet you thus,
Pale rider to the Convent gate,
Come, O rough bridegroom, Death,
Where, bashful bride, I wait you veiled,
Flush-faced, with shaken breath.
Come, O rough bridegroom, Death,
Where, bashful bride, I wait you veiled,
Flush-faced, with shaken breath.
I do not fear your kiss. I dream
New days, secure from strife,
And, bride-like, in the future hope
A quiet household life.
New days, secure from strife,
And, bride-like, in the future hope
A quiet household life.
| Robert Louis Stevenson: Collected Poems | |