University of Virginia Library


250

IN VAIN.

I call unto the night for thee, my dear,
And it for thee replies;
Thy voice upon its wandering winds I hear;
Its soft stars are thine eyes.
I call unto the dawn for thee; and dawn
Me with the tender glow
Answers, that flushed thy cheek in days bygone,
When we met, long ago.
I call unto the noon for thee, and it
Stoops o'er me with thy smile,
The smile of softened splendour infinite,
That greeted me erewhile.
What profits all? If I were moon or sun,
Thy kiss might quicken me;
If I were dawn or breeze, belovéd one,
I might clasp hands with thee.
But since thou art returned to Nature back
And body hast put by,
I know not how to win to thee, alack!
Excepting if I die.