 | Later poems by John B. Tabb |  |
52
QUO VADIS?
The sedge was sere; the water still,
As waiting for the wintry chill;
When, shadow-like along the hill,
She moved alone.
As waiting for the wintry chill;
When, shadow-like along the hill,
She moved alone.
The owl, upon a blasted limb,
From sepulchres of silence dim
Made charnel echoes mock for him
Their dying moan.
From sepulchres of silence dim
Made charnel echoes mock for him
Their dying moan.
Upon the forehead of the night
The moon, foreboding in affright—
A film of solitary light—
Above her shone.
The moon, foreboding in affright—
A film of solitary light—
Above her shone.
What meant the omen of the bird?
The moon with blinding vapours blurred?
What in her heart of anguish stirred
The stifled groan?
The moon with blinding vapours blurred?
What in her heart of anguish stirred
The stifled groan?
53
A plunge, a ripple, and a sigh
Of waters;—fleeting soul, reply,
Was it for death of Love to die,
Or to atone?
Of waters;—fleeting soul, reply,
Was it for death of Love to die,
Or to atone?
| Later poems by John B. Tabb | |