Carol and Cadence | ||
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
And body hast put by,
I know not how to win to thee, alack!
Excepting if I die.
Carol and Cadence | ||