The Poetical Works of George Barlow In Ten [Eleven] Volumes |
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| IX. |
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 | The Poetical Works of George Barlow |  |
222
IX. A LOVE-SONG
Because thou hast not made me smile, but thou
Hast made me weep,
I know that I shall love thee even as now
When death brings sleep.
Hast made me weep,
I know that I shall love thee even as now
When death brings sleep.
Because at last I tremble as I fall
Before Love's feet,
I know I love thee, sweetheart, more than all
Who made life sweet.
Before Love's feet,
I know I love thee, sweetheart, more than all
Who made life sweet.
Because at last I sorrow and am afraid
And dread Love's hand,—
Because an agony lest loveless shade
Blot out Love's land
And dread Love's hand,—
Because an agony lest loveless shade
Blot out Love's land
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Possesses me,—I know that all my heart
Is thine indeed,
And that strong love of thee, not love of Art,
Is now my creed.
Is thine indeed,
And that strong love of thee, not love of Art,
Is now my creed.
I know that thou hast changed my being quite
And made it strong;
Thou with the coal-black hair and eyes whose light
Is light of song.
And made it strong;
Thou with the coal-black hair and eyes whose light
Is light of song.
I know that thou hast made me pure and brave;
Turn not, nor flee:
Take thou not back the priceless gift Love gave:
Absorb thou me.
Turn not, nor flee:
Take thou not back the priceless gift Love gave:
Absorb thou me.
Hold me and thrill me with thy wondrous eyes
Till time is dead;
Till the last sunset's flush across wild skies
Fades out, blood-red.
Till time is dead;
Till the last sunset's flush across wild skies
Fades out, blood-red.
For never since I met them—never yet—
Have mine eyes turned
From thine. The light thou didst within them set
Has duly burned.
Have mine eyes turned
From thine. The light thou didst within them set
Has duly burned.
224
And death will find me watching still thine eyes,
Not watching things
About me,—trembling shores or tottering skies
Or golden wings.
Not watching things
About me,—trembling shores or tottering skies
Or golden wings.
Hold me; oh, hold me ever, till the grave
Close over me.
Cast me not back to wander like a wave
O'er boundless sea.
Close over me.
Cast me not back to wander like a wave
O'er boundless sea.
For thee I love with all my strength of soul.
Lo! at thy feet
While years flit on and changeful seasons roll
O love, O sweet,
Lo! at thy feet
While years flit on and changeful seasons roll
O love, O sweet,
I rest,—as I have rested never yet.
Be true to me.
Eyes, gaze through mine till mine own eyes have met
Eternity.
Be true to me.
Eyes, gaze through mine till mine own eyes have met
Eternity.
| The Poetical Works of George Barlow | |