An English Madonna By James Hinton [i.e. George Barlow] |
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| II. |
| IV. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| X. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XVI. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXXVIII. |
| XLIV. |
| LIV. |
| LXI. |
| LXXVI. |
| LXXXII. |
| LXXXIII. |
| LXXXVIII. |
| LXXXIX. |
| XCII. |
XCII.
LOVE'S RIGHT.
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| XCIII.. |
| XCVII. |
| XCVIII. |
 | An English Madonna |  |
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XCII. LOVE'S RIGHT.
What right have I to thee!—Why, just the right eternal
That gives the strong wind leave to love the bright-browed vernal
Pink blossoming almond-tree!
The right by which the sun with passion immemorial,
Kingly yet very sweet, divine not dictatorial,
Loves the wide silvery laughter of the sea.
That gives the strong wind leave to love the bright-browed vernal
Pink blossoming almond-tree!
The right by which the sun with passion immemorial,
Kingly yet very sweet, divine not dictatorial,
Loves the wide silvery laughter of the sea.
The right by which the tree with boughs and leaves softbending
Guards, loves the meadow-sweet its carpet white extending
Beneath the strong tree's gaze:
The right by which the moon that o'er the river gleameth
Loves the rich purple thyme whose fragrant soft heart dreameth
Beside the dark tall-irised water-ways.
Guards, loves the meadow-sweet its carpet white extending
Beneath the strong tree's gaze:
136
Loves the rich purple thyme whose fragrant soft heart dreameth
Beside the dark tall-irised water-ways.
What right have I to thee! What claim in words to fashion!
Merely the right and claim of fiery love and passion
And tenderness outpoured:
Merely the right of Love the large-eyed world-redeemer;
Merely the desperate right of one wild-hearted dreamer,
And, if man doubt it, my most wakeful sword.
Merely the right and claim of fiery love and passion
And tenderness outpoured:
Merely the right of Love the large-eyed world-redeemer;
Merely the desperate right of one wild-hearted dreamer,
And, if man doubt it, my most wakeful sword.
Merely the final right of love that knows no limit:
That gazes in death's eyes, but finds no power to dim it
Or dwarf it set therein:
Merely the right supreme by which when all the bowers
Besought the brow of God to wear their choicest flowers
He chose a thorn-crown, the world's love to win.
That gazes in death's eyes, but finds no power to dim it
Or dwarf it set therein:
Merely the right supreme by which when all the bowers
Besought the brow of God to wear their choicest flowers
He chose a thorn-crown, the world's love to win.
| An English Madonna | |