 | 'Twixt Kiss and Lip or Under the Sword. By the author of "Women Must Weep," [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] Third edition |  |
684
SONNETS TO A CHILD (M. W. L.) 1874 .
“STORIED FRAMES.”
Shy maiden, with the form of glancing flame,
O dost thou in thy moonlight beauty rise,
Like some dim picture under deeper skies,
Divinely stepping from its storied frame?
O dost thou in thy moonlight beauty rise,
Like some dim picture under deeper skies,
Divinely stepping from its storied frame?
For thine is passion that no touch can tame,
The tempest owns those dark mysterious eyes,
While in thy face a dreamy languor lies,
With strange still graces that deny a name.
The tempest owns those dark mysterious eyes,
While in thy face a dreamy languor lies,
With strange still graces that deny a name.
A pure caressing perfume from thee breathes,
And with the sweetness of a Southern night,
Sheds a soft shadow that is more than light;
And with the sweetness of a Southern night,
Sheds a soft shadow that is more than light;
Which in the sullen surg that round us seethes,
Yet every heart a willing captive wreathes,
With flowery fetters woven of delight.
Yet every heart a willing captive wreathes,
With flowery fetters woven of delight.
THE MUSIC IN THE SHELL.
Thou spirit child, with an unearthly spell,
Thy every limb is like imprisoned fire,
The burning heart of some white blessom bell,
That glows beneath its delicate attire;
Thy every limb is like imprisoned fire,
The burning heart of some white blessom bell,
That glows beneath its delicate attire;
And is thy charm a soft enchanted lyre,
Mixed in each mood as music in a shell,
That gently sways to every sweeter swell,
And bodies forth an infinite desire?
Mixed in each mood as music in a shell,
That gently sways to every sweeter swell,
And bodies forth an infinite desire?
There is a glory in thy midnight hair,
That plays about thee with a holy air,
And thy pure presence is a dainty dew;
That plays about thee with a holy air,
And thy pure presence is a dainty dew;
This gives to all it touches fragrance new,
And stealing from the stars its fulness fair,
It crowns our common lives with heaven's own hue.
And stealing from the stars its fulness fair,
It crowns our common lives with heaven's own hue.
685
FIRE AND SNOW.
O thou art more than beautiful, fair child,
And movest among maidens more than queen,
As flows a stream through deserts dark and wild,
And leaves pure tokens where its path has been;
And movest among maidens more than queen,
As flows a stream through deserts dark and wild,
And leaves pure tokens where its path has been;
Lo, laughing flowers and foliage glad and green,
Mark where around it throws a magic mild,
Nor yet may mingle with the passing scene,
And keeps its waters crystal undefil'd.
Mark where around it throws a magic mild,
Nor yet may mingle with the passing scene,
And keeps its waters crystal undefil'd.
For thou art subtly framed of fire and snow,
And what is best of light and dew and shade,
This thou hast all thy tributary made;
And what is best of light and dew and shade,
This thou hast all thy tributary made;
And wheresoever thy fond footsteps go.
Thou takest every sweet from bloom and blade,
And givest back a warmer wider glow.
Thou takest every sweet from bloom and blade,
And givest back a warmer wider glow.
THE SUMMER IN THE SEED.
But words are weak to paint thee as thou art,
And what thou wilt be never dream could guess,
For thou hast every charm of face and heart,
The years to brighten and the world to bless.
And what thou wilt be never dream could guess,
For thou hast every charm of face and heart,
The years to brighten and the world to bless.
A balm to make the bitterest burden less,
A smile to draw the sting from any smart,
A tear to wash the poison from the dart,
And tender hands to lull the stormy stress.
A smile to draw the sting from any smart,
A tear to wash the poison from the dart,
And tender hands to lull the stormy stress.
Yet well I know thy beauty in the bud,
Will gather grace from each succeeding hour,
And store fresh treasures in its virgin bower;
Will gather grace from each succeeding hour,
And store fresh treasures in its virgin bower;
As hides the seed the summer in its blood.
And gains new life from even the winter flood,
To give the world at last a perfect flower.
And gains new life from even the winter flood,
To give the world at last a perfect flower.
“SMOTHERED FLAME.”
Didst thou bewitch me with thy wondrous charms,
When soft as sunset on my visions came,
Those dark and dewy eyes and twining arms,
That stood between me and a host of harms?
When soft as sunset on my visions came,
Those dark and dewy eyes and twining arms,
That stood between me and a host of harms?
Thy pale pure face, set in its shadowy frame
Of tangled tresses, like a smothered flame,
Gives birth to hope and hateful thoughts alarms,
And shields my path from blasts of withering shame.
Of tangled tresses, like a smothered flame,
Gives birth to hope and hateful thoughts alarms,
And shields my path from blasts of withering shame.
686
There is a message in thy wistful gaze,
And in the trembling of thy lifted lip,
As though some music from thy soul would slip;
And in the trembling of thy lifted lip,
As though some music from thy soul would slip;
But yet I see thee through a distant haze,
As one who wanders in a mocking maze,
And hears the singing waves he may not sip.
As one who wanders in a mocking maze,
And hears the singing waves he may not sip.
WHITE ROSE MAIDEN.
Thou white rose maiden, shining through the dark,
We voyage for a dim and distant port
In the poor shelter of a battered ark,
O'er these gray seas on which our lives embark;
We voyage for a dim and distant port
In the poor shelter of a battered ark,
O'er these gray seas on which our lives embark;
To thee the tempest is but idle sport,
And all our troubles are a shadow short,
From which the beacon's lustre youth may mark,
And hear the gathering in the Temple's court.
And all our troubles are a shadow short,
From which the beacon's lustre youth may mark,
And hear the gathering in the Temple's court.
But we are far from sunny morning hours,
And only feel the glooming of the night,
Which overflows to thee with waves of light;
And only feel the glooming of the night,
Which overflows to thee with waves of light;
For thou art fresh from Eden's fairest bowers,
A bud transplanted from its pleasant flowers,
To make our gardens beautiful and bright.
A bud transplanted from its pleasant flowers,
To make our gardens beautiful and bright.
CHILD OF EVENING.
O child of evening, with thy flower-soft face,
Mild as the moonrise yet as morning's glow,
When winds that bode the storms their trumpet blow,
And gloom and gleam strive for the proudest place;
Mild as the moonrise yet as morning's glow,
When winds that bode the storms their trumpet blow,
And gloom and gleam strive for the proudest place;
Thy track is like the midnight meteor's trace,
That dazzles us with dreams we do not know,
To leave us more in darkness and in woe,
As lovers who a fleeting cloud embrace.
That dazzles us with dreams we do not know,
To leave us more in darkness and in woe,
As lovers who a fleeting cloud embrace.
Behold, thou art a mystery and a joy,
Repose and rapture in thy spirit meet,
And mingle in a mist of passion coy;
Repose and rapture in thy spirit meet,
And mingle in a mist of passion coy;
The clinging of thy trellised arms is sweet,
And glad the cadence of thy dancing feet,
And thou hast kisses sweet that never cloy.
And glad the cadence of thy dancing feet,
And thou hast kisses sweet that never cloy.
687
MOONLIGHT MAID.
I saw the picture of a moonlight maid,
And, lo, it stirred strange memories of thee,
A marvel woven out of shine and shade,
And in a mystic robe of stars arrayed;
And, lo, it stirred strange memories of thee,
A marvel woven out of shine and shade,
And in a mystic robe of stars arrayed;
It mixed the rippling of a summer sea,
With odours wafted from a flowery lea,
Till in a moment every strife was stayed,
And all my fettered hours waxed fair and free.
With odours wafted from a flowery lea,
Till in a moment every strife was stayed,
And all my fettered hours waxed fair and free.
I dreamed a vision of a flashing form,
That fled for ever through a night of storm,
While round its feet the radiant clouds were roll'd;
That fled for ever through a night of storm,
While round its feet the radiant clouds were roll'd;
And then I thought of places pinched and cold,
That drew from thee a glory rich and warm,
I smelled the roses rising from the mould.
That drew from thee a glory rich and warm,
I smelled the roses rising from the mould.
GOSPEL OF CHILDHOOD.
Two upturned orbs of dark and lustrous dew,
Two worlds of light that have no human guise,
Like clouds of glory set in solemn skies;
For ever shifting into shadows new;
Two worlds of light that have no human guise,
Like clouds of glory set in solemn skies;
For ever shifting into shadows new;
Such heavenly lessons are thy wondrous eyes,
With shimmering rays and sheen of varying hue,
Their fitful path of conquest to pursue,
While all the captive world before them lies.
With shimmering rays and sheen of varying hue,
Their fitful path of conquest to pursue,
While all the captive world before them lies.
More light I asked for in rebellion wild,
With brighter beams of sure and saving truth,
Till heaven, behold, on my petitions smil'd;
With brighter beams of sure and saving truth,
Till heaven, behold, on my petitions smil'd;
And giving ancient strains a tender youth,
It wrought amidst the gloom of ills uncouth,
A gospel in the glances of a child.
It wrought amidst the gloom of ills uncouth,
A gospel in the glances of a child.
THE CROWN OF STARS.
Daughter of dreamland from the worlds of sleep,
Whose crimson petals in the moon are pale,
And laughing blossoms in the twilight weep,
Thine are all treasures of the hill and vale;
Whose crimson petals in the moon are pale,
And laughing blossoms in the twilight weep,
Thine are all treasures of the hill and vale;
Thy glorious youth is an enchanted tale,
Big with the promise of its issues deep,
That yet their heavenly bloom and beauty keep,
When other sources ebb and fancies fail.
Big with the promise of its issues deep,
That yet their heavenly bloom and beauty keep,
When other sources ebb and fancies fail.
688
Thou art so nigh in thy sweet crescent years,
The fair preambles of all thoughts and things,
Thou hear'st the waving of the angels' wings;
The fair preambles of all thoughts and things,
Thou hear'st the waving of the angels' wings;
While thou canst trace the fountain of our tears,
And see, beyond the gathering clouds of fears,
The crown of stars that to the summit clings.
And see, beyond the gathering clouds of fears,
The crown of stars that to the summit clings.
NO LONGER.
I turn the portrait's features to the wall,
And close the volume I may read no more,
Nor add one memory to the music score,
And now what pleasure yet will be my thrall?
And close the volume I may read no more,
Nor add one memory to the music score,
And now what pleasure yet will be my thrall?
For me no longer shall thy footsteps fall,
Like waves that wash on some celestial shore,
Nor will thy carol answer to my call,
The soft responses that it breathed before.
Like waves that wash on some celestial shore,
Nor will thy carol answer to my call,
The soft responses that it breathed before.
Thy portrait hangs with pictures of the mind,
Whose charms are chains the wildest heart to bind,
And ranks thy volume with unwritten spells;
Whose charms are chains the wildest heart to bind,
And ranks thy volume with unwritten spells;
And while its magic every murmur quells,
Lo, like the hushing of a heavenly wind,
Thy music swoons to sleep on passion swells.
Lo, like the hushing of a heavenly wind,
Thy music swoons to sleep on passion swells.
YET AGAIN.
But yet again I take the Portrait down,
And gaze with reverent rapture on the grace,
That in no feature has a settled place,
Like wavering starlight on the waters strown;
And gaze with reverent rapture on the grace,
That in no feature has a settled place,
Like wavering starlight on the waters strown;
For in the magic mingling of thy face,
No separate colour may another drown,
And white and red are mixed with darkest brown,
While dawn and dusk in wedlock pure embrace.
No separate colour may another drown,
And white and red are mixed with darkest brown,
While dawn and dusk in wedlock pure embrace.
And moves about the mouth a subtle scent,
The spirit as of unembodied speech,
That trembles with the marvels it would teach;
The spirit as of unembodied speech,
That trembles with the marvels it would teach;
And in the forehead is the vast intent,
With parted lips and looks of wonderment,
Of one who has the heavens within her reach.
With parted lips and looks of wonderment,
Of one who has the heavens within her reach.
689
THE STARRY WAY.
Oh, there are seasons when the shadows flee,
And radiant morning rises on the soul,
As far away the baffled thunders roll,
And then, sweet maiden, I would bring my plea;
And radiant morning rises on the soul,
As far away the baffled thunders roll,
And then, sweet maiden, I would bring my plea;
And in the silence I would talk with thee,
Of joys the Past has sculptured on its scroll,
And wonders of the world that are to be,
While earth is circling to its sacred goal.
Of joys the Past has sculptured on its scroll,
And wonders of the world that are to be,
While earth is circling to its sacred goal.
And half my life I would with gladness pawn,
To see fair Freedom striking from their stay,
The creeds that fetter and the cults they spawn;
To see fair Freedom striking from their stay,
The creeds that fetter and the cults they spawn;
And while it purged the iron from the clay,
I still with thee would walk the starry way,
That leads to glory through the gates of Dawn.
I still with thee would walk the starry way,
That leads to glory through the gates of Dawn.
TO HAVE SEEN.
But to have seen thee once is pleasure still,
That will be fragrance to my future years,
And all their barren spots with colour fill,
That nought may sever from my plighted will;
That will be fragrance to my future years,
And all their barren spots with colour fill,
That nought may sever from my plighted will;
Thou art a portion of my hopes and fears,
For ever mingled with my joys and tears,
While giving every thought a deeper thrill,
And to each shadowy sheaf some brighter ears.
For ever mingled with my joys and tears,
While giving every thought a deeper thrill,
And to each shadowy sheaf some brighter ears.
Yea, to have known thee even a little while,
Is education better than our books,
And true the teachings of thy lovely looks;
Is education better than our books,
And true the teachings of thy lovely looks;
Theirs is no taint of any earthly guile,
They have the sweetness of the summer brooks,
And springtide's bliss when all its blossoms smile.
They have the sweetness of the summer brooks,
And springtide's bliss when all its blossoms smile.
COME TO ME.
Come to me when the dew is on the grass,
And every tint is waking from its trance,
Nor let thy presence from the sunsets pass,
And mix thyself with moonbeams as they dance;
And every tint is waking from its trance,
Nor let thy presence from the sunsets pass,
And mix thyself with moonbeams as they dance;
690
And let the stream be yet a starlit glass,
Reflecting as of old thy radiant glance,
And when I weary in the moiling mass,
Refresh me with thy dreams of young romance.
Reflecting as of old thy radiant glance,
And when I weary in the moiling mass,
Refresh me with thy dreams of young romance.
Be with me in the burden of the noon,
When smitten with the shafts of glaring light,
A moment in my march I haply swoon;
When smitten with the shafts of glaring light,
A moment in my march I haply swoon;
And when the day has dipped from mortal sight,
I crave thy pity, with a gracious boon,
To blow soft kisses on the balmy night.
I crave thy pity, with a gracious boon,
To blow soft kisses on the balmy night.
INFLUENCE.
I cannot see thy face nor feel thy hands,
Yet like a prayer thy influence folds me round,
With many a holy sight and solemn sound,
In dew-soft shadows of caressing bands;
Yet like a prayer thy influence folds me round,
With many a holy sight and solemn sound,
In dew-soft shadows of caressing bands;
And though thy tongue with silent spells be bound,
Yet is thy voice a light in all the lands,
While winds and waters sigh thy sweet demands,
And in the flowers and sunshine thou art found.
Yet is thy voice a light in all the lands,
While winds and waters sigh thy sweet demands,
And in the flowers and sunshine thou art found.
A song without a prelude or an end,
That the wild gusts of every wood-note bend,
With sudden sobs of delicate desire;
That the wild gusts of every wood-note bend,
With sudden sobs of delicate desire;
The wings of passion and the feet of fire,
All these divinely in thy being blend,
With faith's strong hands that evermore aspire.
All these divinely in thy being blend,
With faith's strong hands that evermore aspire.
MOONLIGHT KISSES.
O child of many marvels, bathed in dreams,
Thou art the offspring of the light and air,
Encompassed with the strains of gliding streams,
And mantled in a mist of twilight beams;
Thou art the offspring of the light and air,
Encompassed with the strains of gliding streams,
And mantled in a mist of twilight beams;
The stars bequeathed those eyes a perfect pair,
And in thy making every fountain fair,
Gave for thy glamour all its richest gleams,
And night was woven in thy wondrous hair.
And in thy making every fountain fair,
Gave for thy glamour all its richest gleams,
And night was woven in thy wondrous hair.
Thy kisses in the moonlight come to me,
Through roses tossing in a scented sea,
And, lo, I hear thy footsteps at the gate;
Through roses tossing in a scented sea,
And, lo, I hear thy footsteps at the gate;
But when I woo my darling and my fate,
Ah, then thy sweet white feet arise and flee,
And leave me all so dark and desolate.
Ah, then thy sweet white feet arise and flee,
And leave me all so dark and desolate.
691
SHINING SHADOWS.
Thou standest dimly between day and night,
And stealest still from each its rarest grace,
The bloom of all the treasures dark and bright,
Darling of Hope and every heart's delight;
And stealest still from each its rarest grace,
The bloom of all the treasures dark and bright,
Darling of Hope and every heart's delight;
And richly rendered in thy varying face,
What holy thoughts with shining shadows trace,
The faith that yet is more assured than sight,
When love and awe in perfect bliss embrace.
What holy thoughts with shining shadows trace,
The faith that yet is more assured than sight,
When love and awe in perfect bliss embrace.
Thy path is as the whisper of the west,
When earth is waking from its winter sleep,
That woos the violets from the valley's breast;
When earth is waking from its winter sleep,
That woos the violets from the valley's breast;
And time has ransacked all its riches deep,
The lands of laughter and the waves that weep,
To mould thy life so beautiful and blest.
The lands of laughter and the waves that weep,
To mould thy life so beautiful and blest.
ENCHANTED WALLS.
O mistress thou of many a prayer and song,
That cherish thee in their enchanted walls,
If life be short yet conquering love is long,
And over death and deathful weapons strong;
That cherish thee in their enchanted walls,
If life be short yet conquering love is long,
And over death and deathful weapons strong;
Then speed the triumphs of its trumpet calls,
Till every bolt of every barrier falls,
While blessings shield thee from the reach of wrong,
And crown that grace which even the grave enthralls.
Till every bolt of every barrier falls,
While blessings shield thee from the reach of wrong,
And crown that grace which even the grave enthralls.
Fair wreaths of love I fashion for thy head,
As light as petals by a blossom shed,
That to the evening Zephyr gently bows;
As light as petals by a blossom shed,
That to the evening Zephyr gently bows;
Thou art the heir of all my highest vows,
And were my power as fleet as fancy's tread,
What gems of joy should brighten on thy brows.
And were my power as fleet as fancy's tread,
What gems of joy should brighten on thy brows.
GOD IN CHILDHOOD.
Queen of my heart and every happy thought,
Behold the secret of the solemn spell,
That from thy effluence on my spirit fell,
And chastely hath such changes in me wrought;
Behold the secret of the solemn spell,
That from thy effluence on my spirit fell,
And chastely hath such changes in me wrought;
692
I found in thee the Saviour I had sought,
Who once in childhood was content to dwell,
And hallowed it with heavenly gifts He brought,
To teach the wonders wisdom could not tell.
Who once in childhood was content to dwell,
And hallowed it with heavenly gifts He brought,
To teach the wonders wisdom could not tell.
And from thy tender youth transformed by Him,
I see the branches of His presence shine,
With loving tendrils that my life entwine;
I see the branches of His presence shine,
With loving tendrils that my life entwine;
Celestial glory lightens every limb,
And though my blindness makes its beauty dim,
The grace I worship is the grace Divine.
And though my blindness makes its beauty dim,
The grace I worship is the grace Divine.
THE NEW SONG.
There is a song not syllabled by word,
That thrills the bosom of the virgin wood,
A language dear to butterfly and bird,
With which the bubbles of the brooks are stirr'd;
That thrills the bosom of the virgin wood,
A language dear to butterfly and bird,
With which the bubbles of the brooks are stirr'd;
It is a strain of universal good,
That all the ages never understood,
But yet from children's lips its chimes are heard,
And sweetly breathed from budding maidenhood.
That all the ages never understood,
But yet from children's lips its chimes are heard,
And sweetly breathed from budding maidenhood.
And thou this secret tongue canst call thy own,
For every mystery by the breezes blown,
Is only to thy ears a simple tale;
For every mystery by the breezes blown,
Is only to thy ears a simple tale;
And whispers of the daisies in the dale,
Were, ere embodied, to thy spirit known,
And all the passion of the nightingale.
Were, ere embodied, to thy spirit known,
And all the passion of the nightingale.
THE STEP ON THE STAIRS.
Thy step is on the stairs when evening falls,
When like a sacred sea the silence grows,
In mighty waves that murmur on the walls,
And faintly echo unto calls;
When like a sacred sea the silence grows,
In mighty waves that murmur on the walls,
And faintly echo unto calls;
Ah, then thy balmy breath upon me blows,
And through the portals of the twilight flows,
Deep in the stillness of the shadowy halls,
With flowers of speech unfolding as a rose.
And through the portals of the twilight flows,
Deep in the stillness of the shadowy halls,
With flowers of speech unfolding as a rose.
Thy hand is gentle in the hush of sleep,
Which broods at night and fondly wraps me round,
With raiment woven of soft scent and sound;
Which broods at night and fondly wraps me round,
With raiment woven of soft scent and sound;
I feel thy touch when dawn's dim tokens peep,
And when about me twines the vision deep,
'Tis in thy arms I am so sweetly wound.
And when about me twines the vision deep,
'Tis in thy arms I am so sweetly wound.
693
AT THE GATE.
I wait in darkness at the golden gate,
To catch some gleams and glimpses of the truth,
From time corroding age with jealous tooth,
Now earth is fading and the hour is late;
To catch some gleams and glimpses of the truth,
From time corroding age with jealous tooth,
Now earth is fading and the hour is late;
I am denied the mercies thou dost mate,
So largely granted to thy glorious youth,
And wildly gather signs and sounds uncouth,
With dark foreshadowings of a future state.
So largely granted to thy glorious youth,
And wildly gather signs and sounds uncouth,
With dark foreshadowings of a future state.
While thou dost in the dazzling Temple stand,
One of the pure and white-robed virgin band,
Who wave the palm and wear the sacred seal;
One of the pure and white-robed virgin band,
Who wave the palm and wear the sacred seal;
I still in vain all sadly knock and kneel,
To these dim eyes and this deflowering hand,
Thy revelation nothing would reveal.
To these dim eyes and this deflowering hand,
Thy revelation nothing would reveal.
LIGHTS AND SHADES.
O flower-like face that art so much to me,
That takest brightest beauty from the shades,
And in the hueless years yet more wilt be,
When clouds arise and morning sunbeams flee;
That takest brightest beauty from the shades,
And in the hueless years yet more wilt be,
When clouds arise and morning sunbeams flee;
Thine is a bloom that never falls nor fades,
And night that nestles in the dewy blades,
While all its vassal hours bear gifts to thee,
Has breathed its glory in thy tresses' braids.
And night that nestles in the dewy blades,
While all its vassal hours bear gifts to thee,
Has breathed its glory in thy tresses' braids.
Thine is the fairness of the moonlit foam,
The rapture of the petrels when they roam
And all the sweetness of the saddest hour;
The rapture of the petrels when they roam
And all the sweetness of the saddest hour;
Day gives to thee its perfume for thy dower,
While in the heart of silence is thy home,
And built of mist and music is thy bower.
While in the heart of silence is thy home,
And built of mist and music is thy bower.
WHITE ROBES.
Thou lovest well to linger in the light,
(Even while thou glidest through the glooming dark
Thy spirit kindles with a kindly spark),
At every sweeter sound and richer sight;
(Even while thou glidest through the glooming dark
Thy spirit kindles with a kindly spark),
At every sweeter sound and richer sight;
694
And thou to hymns of happy souls wilt hark,
That keep their garments undefiled and white,
While misery which on thee can make no mark,
Yet draws a solace from thy sunny flight.
That keep their garments undefiled and white,
While misery which on thee can make no mark,
Yet draws a solace from thy sunny flight.
O thou the sister art of all that's fair,
Of every brighter bloom and softer air,
And each enchantment of each virgin thing;
Of every brighter bloom and softer air,
And each enchantment of each virgin thing;
The summer lustre of the cushat's wing,
Has been entangled in thy dreamy hair,
And from thee flows the freshness of the Spring.
Has been entangled in thy dreamy hair,
And from thee flows the freshness of the Spring.
DIVINE AND HUMAN.
Diviner art thou than a poet's dreams,
Who sees the sun set in the morning's mirth,
And in the radiance of red-litten streams,
Reads mirrored all the miracles of earth;
Who sees the sun set in the morning's mirth,
And in the radiance of red-litten streams,
Reads mirrored all the miracles of earth;
The blessings that have perished in their birth
Yet dying fired the lands with lurid gleams,
And unbegotten marvels, crown thy worth
With aureoles of the future's broader beams.
Yet dying fired the lands with lurid gleams,
And unbegotten marvels, crown thy worth
With aureoles of the future's broader beams.
O sweet imperfect bud of tender days,
When even thorns put on a pleasant sheath,
And veil in velvet down their bitter teeth;
When even thorns put on a pleasant sheath,
And veil in velvet down their bitter teeth;
Yet thou art richly human in thy ways,
While every storm thy roots more surely stays,
And glorious are thy clouds with rainbow's wreath
While every storm thy roots more surely stays,
And glorious are thy clouds with rainbow's wreath
THE BOOK BEAUTIFUL.
And yet again I break the solemn seal,
To bid the volume of thy beauties ope,
With tales of promise on the page of hope,
That when reserving most the most reveal;
To bid the volume of thy beauties ope,
With tales of promise on the page of hope,
That when reserving most the most reveal;
As on shy waters deeper shadows steal,
And bluer skies put forth a fuller scope,
While greener pastures from the mountain slope,
And scars of morning evening mercies heal.
And bluer skies put forth a fuller scope,
While greener pastures from the mountain slope,
And scars of morning evening mercies heal.
Lo, fire and air and earth's most dainty stores;
The golden glimmer of the eagle's crest,
The rays that ripple on the opal's breast;
The golden glimmer of the eagle's crest,
The rays that ripple on the opal's breast;
So rare a reflex from the pages pours,
As though the very heaven rolled back its doors,
And with its splendours made thee bright and blest.
As though the very heaven rolled back its doors,
And with its splendours made thee bright and blest.
695
IF ONLY—
If only I were thou and north were south,
And every bosom were the balm of rest,
And all kind maidens had one kissing mouth,
What sweet confusion then would be our guest!
And every bosom were the balm of rest,
And all kind maidens had one kissing mouth,
What sweet confusion then would be our guest!
For longing lips no more would pine from drouth,
And love unuttered would be love exprest,
While age would wax as free as frolic youth,
And sunrise windows open in the west.
And love unuttered would be love exprest,
While age would wax as free as frolic youth,
And sunrise windows open in the west.
If only I were thou and man were maid,
There would be strange low laughter in the shade,
With winding arms and arms again withdrawn;
There would be strange low laughter in the shade,
With winding arms and arms again withdrawn;
While morning's feet would light the midnight lawn,
And weeping of its tears would be afraid,
If only I were thou and dusk were dawn.
And weeping of its tears would be afraid,
If only I were thou and dusk were dawn.
THE GREAT GULF FIXED.
Between thee and the world wherein I dwell,
The holy presence of some purer power,
Sweet as the fragrance of an unseen flower,
Enfolds a rapture that no tongue can tell;
The holy presence of some purer power,
Sweet as the fragrance of an unseen flower,
Enfolds a rapture that no tongue can tell;
A portion that is blesséd childhood's dower,
On which no cloud of coarseness ever fell,
And yet it has the awe and brooding spell,
That part the shadow from the thunder shower.
On which no cloud of coarseness ever fell,
And yet it has the awe and brooding spell,
That part the shadow from the thunder shower.
It is the pathos turned to smile or tear,
The wondrous fount that flows with hope and fear,
And pours a halo round the hero's head;
The wondrous fount that flows with hope and fear,
And pours a halo round the hero's head;
The space which holds the dying from the dead,
A solemn hush, a sacred atmosphere,
Where loftiest angels dare not lightly tread.
A solemn hush, a sacred atmosphere,
Where loftiest angels dare not lightly tread.
DAY AND NIGHT.
O thou that breathest all the grace of each—
While sunlit pictures fret in frames of gold,
And marble brows are pure and pale and cold—
Hast learned from both their mute melodious speech;
While sunlit pictures fret in frames of gold,
And marble brows are pure and pale and cold—
Hast learned from both their mute melodious speech;
696
Thou dost roflect them in a richer mould,
Beyond the range of unillumined reach,
Though I whose eyes are dark can but beseech,
And hunger for the joys I would behold.
Beyond the range of unillumined reach,
Though I whose eyes are dark can but beseech,
And hunger for the joys I would behold.
For thou art mingled of the night and day,
With balms for all our pains' accurséd probes,
Each restful shade and every kindly ray;
With balms for all our pains' accurséd probes,
Each restful shade and every kindly ray;
These thy sweet presence still around it globes,
And as thou walkest, thy benignant way
Is like the rustling of the angels' robes.
And as thou walkest, thy benignant way
Is like the rustling of the angels' robes.
ANGELS UNAWARES.
There was a time when life itself was nought,
And in the circle of my troubled year,
The seasons only sadder changes wrought,
And fond desire indulgence vainly sought;
And in the circle of my troubled year,
The seasons only sadder changes wrought,
And fond desire indulgence vainly sought;
The pleasures dreamed of proved but sick and sore,
And pale was promise and each fancy fear.
While pain would throb in every passing thought,
And light was dim and clouds above were clear.
And pale was promise and each fancy fear.
While pain would throb in every passing thought,
And light was dim and clouds above were clear.
Days brought me brief delights and petty dowers,
Till on me breathed thy fresher fuller airs,
From hidden blossoms of enchanted bowers;
Till on me breathed thy fresher fuller airs,
From hidden blossoms of enchanted bowers;
And taking thee with larger hopes and cares,
I found a halo round the darkest hours,
And entertained an angel unawares.
I found a halo round the darkest hours,
And entertained an angel unawares.
WALKING ON THE HEART.
I dreamed, alas, my heart was at thy feet,
The sole sad gift my poverty could bear,
And thou didst spurn it with thy paces fleet,
As one who walks upon the waves of care;
The sole sad gift my poverty could bear,
And thou didst spurn it with thy paces fleet,
As one who walks upon the waves of care;
And at each footstep it arose to meet,
The conqueror's march that sped and did not spare,
And ever gave a loyal throb to greet,
The stroke that in its very fall was fair.
The conqueror's march that sped and did not spare,
And ever gave a loyal throb to greet,
The stroke that in its very fall was fair.
And when I see the bitter stripes, that part
The loving from the lost and work from will,
And promise from the power to solace ill;
The loving from the lost and work from will,
And promise from the power to solace ill;
I feel the world is walking on my heart,
And though Time's healing hand allay the smart,
Yet every step is stamped upon it still.
And though Time's healing hand allay the smart,
Yet every step is stamped upon it still.
697
THE BURDEN OF BEAUTY.
O ponder, darling, on the gift of graces,
That crown thy budding life with tender bloom,
And though they be not seen yet leave their traces,
As perfumes lingering in the mourner's room;
That crown thy budding life with tender bloom,
And though they be not seen yet leave their traces,
As perfumes lingering in the mourner's room;
When withered Eden at the blast of doom,
God set its fairest flowers in children's faces,
That they might blossom in the sunless places,
And called them good and bade them break the gloom.
God set its fairest flowers in children's faces,
That they might blossom in the sunless places,
And called them good and bade them break the gloom.
But, ah, the breath of passion and of pleasures,
Falls on their growth and warps it unto worse,
While cold corruption makes their heart its treasure;
Falls on their growth and warps it unto worse,
While cold corruption makes their heart its treasure;
It changes beauty's blessing to a curse,
Till folly wakes to find the tomb its measure,
And at the touch of truth its dreams disperse.
Till folly wakes to find the tomb its measure,
And at the touch of truth its dreams disperse.
THE BANNER OF BLOOD.
The armies of the Night are breaking fast,
The mists are shattered and the shadows flee,
And on the silence of the earth and sea,
The spell of speech and melody is east;
The mists are shattered and the shadows flee,
And on the silence of the earth and sea,
The spell of speech and melody is east;
Yet thine the songs I hear for peril past,
And in the sunbeams I behold but thee,
Disthroning darkness, to unveil at last
The splendid spaces of the world to be.
And in the sunbeams I behold but thee,
Disthroning darkness, to unveil at last
The splendid spaces of the world to be.
The waters wild at thy sweet footstep fawn,
And warring winds make peace and round thee play,
While bane is turned to blessing on thy way;
And warring winds make peace and round thee play,
While bane is turned to blessing on thy way;
And in a dream I see thee upward drawn,
Beneath the blood-red banner of the Dawn,
And towards the gates of everlasting Day.
Beneath the blood-red banner of the Dawn,
And towards the gates of everlasting Day.
KNOCKING.
'Tis bitter work to beat against the rock,
(Yet never gain an entrance to the rest,
That bears the weary on its tender breast),
And at the portals of the light to knock;
(Yet never gain an entrance to the rest,
That bears the weary on its tender breast),
And at the portals of the light to knock;
But sore misgivings all approaches block,
And doubt, that darkens where its foot is prest,
Sets on the doors its sad and sullen lock,
And bars the way whose issue else were blest.
And doubt, that darkens where its foot is prest,
Sets on the doors its sad and sullen lock,
And bars the way whose issue else were blest.
698
But childhood has no barren quest of pain
Nor are its search and satisfaction twain,
Its faith is furthered by the prisoner's band;
Nor are its search and satisfaction twain,
Its faith is furthered by the prisoner's band;
While at one touch of its caressing hand,
Lo, every barrier is built up in vain,
And revelation's golden gates expand.
Lo, every barrier is built up in vain,
And revelation's golden gates expand.
THE CHILDREN'S DAY.
Come to me, little one, and we will dream
Of all that on this happy day was wrought,
When love and life to earth were freely brought,
To lighten households with their broader beam.
Of all that on this happy day was wrought,
When love and life to earth were freely brought,
To lighten households with their broader beam.
Come, wake again the glad celestial gleam,
That ages past our pale horizon caught;
For truth is dark till it is truly sought,
And then its floodgates pour a dazzling stream.
That ages past our pale horizon caught;
For truth is dark till it is truly sought,
And then its floodgates pour a dazzling stream.
For at this time a Heavenly Child was born,
When all the world in doubt and darkness lay,
To guide us in the everlasting way;
When all the world in doubt and darkness lay,
To guide us in the everlasting way;
It opes the portals of a purer Morn.
And we whose brows by weary age are worn,
Delight to call it still the children's day.
And we whose brows by weary age are worn,
Delight to call it still the children's day.
THE PASSION OF THE PINES.
Go to the virgin forest, virgin child,
When breezes are abroad and storms are still,
And pluck the secret from the pinewoods wild,
That wave upon the hollow and the hill;
When breezes are abroad and storms are still,
And pluck the secret from the pinewoods wild,
That wave upon the hollow and the hill;
They murmur mysteries to the rock and rill,
But if thou callest with entreaties mild,
The woods will answer to a maiden's will,
By purity and faith alone beguil'd.
But if thou callest with entreaties mild,
The woods will answer to a maiden's will,
By purity and faith alone beguil'd.
Thy spotless spirit there will find a mate,
In purer air that round thy temples twines,
And wooes thee with a thousand tender signs;
In purer air that round thy temples twines,
And wooes thee with a thousand tender signs;
Till love unlocks the silent lips of Fate,
Translating into truths articulate,
The vague and voiceless passion of the pines.
Translating into truths articulate,
The vague and voiceless passion of the pines.
699
“I SLEEP, BUT MY HEART WAKETH.”
There is a day that has no beam of shining,
There is a night that is without a shade,
Though all the rays of earth's illuming fade,
And there is sorrow severed from repining.
There is a night that is without a shade,
Though all the rays of earth's illuming fade,
And there is sorrow severed from repining.
My captive bonds are bonds still not confining,
But into tender links of mercy made;
While every suffering is a sure refining,
And all my steps are (when I stumble) stayed.
But into tender links of mercy made;
While every suffering is a sure refining,
And all my steps are (when I stumble) stayed.
And if the night its chains of darkness maketh,
It cannot bind the soul whose faith is free,
And then the shadow in my spirit breaketh;
It cannot bind the soul whose faith is free,
And then the shadow in my spirit breaketh;
Yea, all my inner life begins to be,
And though I sleep, O then my heart awaketh,
For every dream is linked with love and thee.
And though I sleep, O then my heart awaketh,
For every dream is linked with love and thee.
THE HUMAN FACE ANGELICAL.
We met as strangers yet thy face was not,
But seemed familiar as a face I saw
In other worlds, where liberty was law;
And all the splendour was without a spot;
But seemed familiar as a face I saw
In other worlds, where liberty was law;
And all the splendour was without a spot;
We parted friends but parted not our lot,
For mine from thine its beauty still doth draw,
And in thy fairness loses every flaw,
And even forgets it ever had a blot.
For mine from thine its beauty still doth draw,
And in thy fairness loses every flaw,
And even forgets it ever had a blot.
We shall not meet again as we have met,
When time was young and life was musical,
And love for ever kept high festival;
When time was young and life was musical,
And love for ever kept high festival;
And though thou dost yet do not I forget,
But still through all the strife, sweet Margaret,
I see thy human face angelical.
But still through all the strife, sweet Margaret,
I see thy human face angelical.
“UN GRAND PEUT-ÊTRE.”
The secret which to solve we first must die,
The light to see which I must cleave the cloud,
And learn from silence what is in its shroud,
The enigma of the ages, now is nigh.
The light to see which I must cleave the cloud,
And learn from silence what is in its shroud,
The enigma of the ages, now is nigh.
700
Is it to loftier songs from sense I fly,
To rise at length my hopes are lowly bowed?
For will to grow, is not my will allow'd?
And enters pain, that pain may cease to sigh?
To rise at length my hopes are lowly bowed?
For will to grow, is not my will allow'd?
And enters pain, that pain may cease to sigh?
This world is no more with me, and the next
In lights and shadows that my being shake,
Blind motions in my breast begins to make.
In lights and shadows that my being shake,
Blind motions in my breast begins to make.
My fluttering soul is strangely, sweetly vex'd,
And shall I from the silence never wake,
To strains for which ours are the broken text?
And shall I from the silence never wake,
To strains for which ours are the broken text?
MORE THAN LIGHT.
O is this death? or is it larger life,
That bears me upward to a blissful state,
And stirs me with the stillness born of strife,
Till all I was is with new raptures rife?
That bears me upward to a blissful state,
And stirs me with the stillness born of strife,
Till all I was is with new raptures rife?
What strange fruitions of the radiant fate,
That lies beyond the dark and dreadful gate;
And suffering's sad and separating knife,
Is edged by mercy that would find its mate.
That lies beyond the dark and dreadful gate;
And suffering's sad and separating knife,
Is edged by mercy that would find its mate.
But through the valley dost thou stay me still
With fearless footsteps and a presence bright,
I know the love that leads—the hopes that thrill;
With fearless footsteps and a presence bright,
I know the love that leads—the hopes that thrill;
Thy words of solace give me sweeter sight,
Than dawn's pure fountains when with fire they fill,
And in the shadow thou art more than light.
Than dawn's pure fountains when with fire they fill,
And in the shadow thou art more than light.
SABBATH BELLS.
The sound of Sabbath bells is in my ears,
And wings me upward to the pleasant land,
Where children's voices chime away my tears,
And chide my spirit with their hopeful fears;
And wings me upward to the pleasant land,
Where children's voices chime away my tears,
And chide my spirit with their hopeful fears;
I hear the call to burst my prison band,
As on the threshold of the stars I stand,
With echoes of the happier holier years,
Like wash of waters on a distant strand.
As on the threshold of the stars I stand,
With echoes of the happier holier years,
Like wash of waters on a distant strand.
But through the glooming thou art still my guide,
And if I see thee not I feel thee yet,
As soft as sunbeams ever at my side;
And if I see thee not I feel thee yet,
As soft as sunbeams ever at my side;
And though the darkness is around me set,
My eyes still turn to thee, my Margaret,
Whose tender hands the gates of death divide.
My eyes still turn to thee, my Margaret,
Whose tender hands the gates of death divide.
| 'Twixt Kiss and Lip or Under the Sword. By the author of "Women Must Weep," [i.e. F. W. O. Ward] Third edition | |