University of Virginia Library

LOVE'S ORDEAL.

SUGGESTED BY MR. MAC DONALD'S POEM.

He felt the darkness—and he felt them fold
Around him, arms of her who loved him so
That she was certain Youth yet lay below
The aged garment that she did behold
Encircling him grown withered, wrinkled, old—
That she was strong extremity to know,
Yea, strong to cherish with her breast of snow
His breast by this time earthy, clay-like, cold;
Another way the story may be told
For fades from arms of ours Queen Beauty's glow
As frequently, and sore excess of woe
Is over eyelids sick with longing rolled,
Heavy with fainting for a sight of her
Who has withdrawn the sunset of her face,
And left in heaven not a single trace,
No gold-tipped cloud to show that she was there,
That but a moment since the sky was fair
And crimson colour flooded every place.