 | Last poems including Afterglow and Beyond the sunset |  |
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TWO LYRICS
ADAPTED FROM THE ITALIAN OF VITTORIA MARINI
I.—A MYSTERY
O strange, mysterious guest,
Whence dost thou come to me?
From what far realm where silver stars
Shine soft beyond the sunset bars?
Across what crystal sea?
Whence dost thou come to me?
From what far realm where silver stars
Shine soft beyond the sunset bars?
Across what crystal sea?
Thou art no laughing Love,
Rose-crowned and garlanded,
With young Dreams floating at thy side,
While Joy swings all her portals wide,
And Fear and Doubt have fled.
Rose-crowned and garlanded,
With young Dreams floating at thy side,
While Joy swings all her portals wide,
And Fear and Doubt have fled.
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Thy face is turned away,
I cannot see thine eyes;
I know not if they look on me
Or kindly, or reproachfully,
Or wide with slow surprise.
I cannot see thine eyes;
I know not if they look on me
Or kindly, or reproachfully,
Or wide with slow surprise.
Why hast thou sought my door,
O thou unbidden guest?
To bid thee go I do not dare,
Nor to come in my cup to share,—
Tell me thy name and quest!
O thou unbidden guest?
To bid thee go I do not dare,
Nor to come in my cup to share,—
Tell me thy name and quest!
II.—A MYSTERY SOLVED
Come in, thou heavenly guest,—
Lo! I fling wide the door!
At last, at last, I see thy face
All radiant with celestial grace;
Come, to go forth no more!
Lo! I fling wide the door!
At last, at last, I see thy face
All radiant with celestial grace;
Come, to go forth no more!
Come in, thou strange, sweet guest!
Proudly I bid thee stay;
I know thee now for what thou art,
The one sole warder of my heart,—
Keep thou the key alway!
Proudly I bid thee stay;
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The one sole warder of my heart,—
Keep thou the key alway!
Come in, imperious guest!
To thy behest I yield;
I give my soul, my heart, my hand,
Surrendering all to thy command,—
Be thou my crown and shield!
To thy behest I yield;
I give my soul, my heart, my hand,
Surrendering all to thy command,—
Be thou my crown and shield!
Come in, thou kingly guest!
Low in the dust I bow;
I kneel to bathe thy royal feet,
Bringing rich balms and odors sweet,—
Lord of my life art thou!
Low in the dust I bow;
I kneel to bathe thy royal feet,
Bringing rich balms and odors sweet,—
Lord of my life art thou!
| Last poems including Afterglow and Beyond the sunset | |