University of Virginia Library

IX

Once more I watch the hills take fire
With dawn; and, shaggy spine by spine,
Flush like dark tyrants o'er their wine,
Who grasp the sword and break the lyre,
And carve the world to their desire;
While, red as blocks where kingdoms bleed,
The rocks trail crimson vine and weed.
To walls of gold, Enchantment built,
Again my fancy bids me go—

10

Through woods, bewitched with fire, where blow
Wild horns of tournament and tilt—
A fairy-prince, whose spear hath spilt
No blood but in a shadow-world,
While at the real his gage is hurled.
What far, æolian echoes lead
My longing?—as a voice might wake
A lost child from deep sleep and take,
With music of a magic reed,
Him home where love will give him heed:—
What echoes, blown from lands that lie
Melodious 'neath no mortal sky?