 | The Vale of Arden and Other Poems |  |
63
THE TRYST
The stars are faint and few,
The zenith yet is blue;
The zenith yet is blue;
By daylight still is seen
The orchard's tender green,
The orchard's tender green,
Whose snowy bloom doth rest
As clouds on heaven's breast;
As clouds on heaven's breast;
But clear and full and high
The moon enchants the sky.
The moon enchants the sky.
When day and moonlight meet
My heart doth strangely beat;
My heart doth strangely beat;
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For when their lips have kissed,
I keep my silent tryst
I keep my silent tryst
With One, to whom alone
My inmost heart is known.
My inmost heart is known.
Her footsteps then are heard
When sleeping leaves are stirred;
When sleeping leaves are stirred;
Her eyes more tender are
Than twilight's only star;
Than twilight's only star;
She breathes as when the plane
Is fragrant after rain;
Is fragrant after rain;
Her voice is that deep speech
Which music yearns to reach.
Which music yearns to reach.
To her pure lips I clung
When boyhood's leaf was young;
When boyhood's leaf was young;
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Her soul possessed the maid
When love was first afraid;
When love was first afraid;
But now that love is bold,
The gray consumes the gold.
The gray consumes the gold.
Sweet is the sultry noon
Of lusty full-blown June,
Of lusty full-blown June,
And sweet the golden fruit
Of love's accomplished suit;
Of love's accomplished suit;
But sweeter twilight's hour
And love's unfolding flower.
And love's unfolding flower.
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