XXX. “ETERNAL BOYHOOD”
I
Eternal boyhood deepens day by day
As the heart older grows:
The man who loves a rose
Is ever immortal, though the hair wax grey.
II
The man who loveth thee,
O thou most sweet incarnate spirit of Spring,
Becomes a strong and age-defying king
Of heaven and earth and sea.
III
No man who loves thee, sweetheart of my soul,
Can e'er be aught but young,
For Spring's self on thy tongue
Lingers for ever, while swift seasons roll.
IV
Thee never words may praise
Fitly, for thou art far beyond all words,—
Just as the summer singing of the birds
Outstrips our choicest lays.
V
I never shall find words in which to say
(That is my one despair!)
How past all sweet praise fair
Thou art to me,—and lovelier day by day.
VI
I never shall find song
Divine enough, my beautiful, for thee.
When we stand close beside a white may-tree
Words do the sweet bloom wrong.
VII
Song, once I thought, could never fail to show
The fervent heart within:
Yet, God knows, it seems sin
Almost to sing of thee—I love thee so!
VIII
My beautiful, my queen,
My sweetest of all sweet things upon earth,—
My sovereign woman with the silver mirth,
The deep glance and serene,—
IX
The harp falls from my hand! God only knows
(The God who gave to me
To love and look on thee)
How my whole soul upon thee doth repose.
