Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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CLEMENCY SNOW. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
421
CLEMENCY SNOW.
Ah, I do not remember the year that she came—
Clemency Snow!
But the woods were all burning in russet and flame,
And the birds and the breezes made songs of her name—
Clemency Snow!
From her Puritan vesture white hands with the gesture
Of a queenly commanding that brooked no withstanding
Glanced out and compelled any will that rebelled,
Or disputed the conquests of Clemency Snow.
It was magic and mischief and all that was fair,
With the breath of the moorland and sweet of the air—
Clemency Snow.
Clemency Snow!
But the woods were all burning in russet and flame,
And the birds and the breezes made songs of her name—
Clemency Snow!
From her Puritan vesture white hands with the gesture
Of a queenly commanding that brooked no withstanding
Glanced out and compelled any will that rebelled,
Or disputed the conquests of Clemency Snow.
It was magic and mischief and all that was fair,
With the breath of the moorland and sweet of the air—
Clemency Snow.
But she looked so demure, and her delicate chin—
Clemency Snow!
Had the least little curve which to malice is kin,
And it testified clearly against every sin—
Clemency Snow!
While the culprit before her was made to adore her,
Feeling mere dust and ashes if wrath fell in flashes
That pointed him right from their curtain of night;
For no evil might sojourn with Clemency Snow.
There was frost of the winter and passion of fire,
In that prudent demeanour and proper attire—
Clemency Snow.
Clemency Snow!
Had the least little curve which to malice is kin,
And it testified clearly against every sin—
Clemency Snow!
While the culprit before her was made to adore her,
Feeling mere dust and ashes if wrath fell in flashes
That pointed him right from their curtain of night;
For no evil might sojourn with Clemency Snow.
There was frost of the winter and passion of fire,
In that prudent demeanour and proper attire—
Clemency Snow.
She was gentle and yet had an adamant will—
Clemency Snow!
While she knew I was foolish and tempted by ill,
And had gone to the devil and followed him still—
Clemency Snow!
So she spoke to me plainly and argued not vainly
Of the faith that was dearer, till Heaven drew nearer;
But the iron, that dwelt in the softness, I felt;
And I yielded at once to pure Clemency Snow.
O she came and she saw and she conquered and went,
And I found a new spirit a treasure unspent—
Clemency Snow.
Clemency Snow!
While she knew I was foolish and tempted by ill,
And had gone to the devil and followed him still—
Clemency Snow!
So she spoke to me plainly and argued not vainly
Of the faith that was dearer, till Heaven drew nearer;
But the iron, that dwelt in the softness, I felt;
And I yielded at once to pure Clemency Snow.
O she came and she saw and she conquered and went,
And I found a new spirit a treasure unspent—
Clemency Snow.
422
And so now when the autumn is painting the leaves,
Clemency Snow!
I see blessing the harvest and shining from sheaves,
And hear whispering sweetly from corners and eaves—
Clemency Snow!
And her eyes of grey gleaming in visions of dreaming
Beam with beauty and power, and lips like a flower
Open ripe and as red, and like perfume is shed
Words of warning and comfort from Clemency Snow.
'Tis religion and sorcery mingled in one,
And the promise of poems that never were done—
Clemency Snow.
Clemency Snow!
I see blessing the harvest and shining from sheaves,
And hear whispering sweetly from corners and eaves—
Clemency Snow!
And her eyes of grey gleaming in visions of dreaming
Beam with beauty and power, and lips like a flower
Open ripe and as red, and like perfume is shed
Words of warning and comfort from Clemency Snow.
'Tis religion and sorcery mingled in one,
And the promise of poems that never were done—
Clemency Snow.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |