 | The heavenly guest with other unpublished writings |  |
72
THE GREEN LEAVES WHISPER LOW
The wind-harp sings in the casement wide
A fitful song that is sad and slow,
While the summer sunset burns outside,
And the green leaves whisper low.
A fitful song that is sad and slow,
While the summer sunset burns outside,
And the green leaves whisper low.
A fair head leans on a lily hand,
And clear eyes study the sky's red glow—
The loveliest lady's in all the land—
While the green leaves whisper low.
And clear eyes study the sky's red glow—
The loveliest lady's in all the land—
While the green leaves whisper low.
“O wind-harp, listen, and cease to grieve;
O warm south wind, less wildly blow;
For my lover rides through the golden eve,
While the green leaves whisper low.”
O warm south wind, less wildly blow;
For my lover rides through the golden eve,
While the green leaves whisper low.”
A step, a cry, and the dusky room
A splendor swift seems to overflow;
A glory lights the enchanted gloom,
While the green leaves whisper low.
A splendor swift seems to overflow;
A glory lights the enchanted gloom,
While the green leaves whisper low.
He brings the dawn in his happy eyes;
Yet grieve, O wind-harp, sad and slow—
Grieve, for the matchless moment flies,
While the green leaves whisper low.
Yet grieve, O wind-harp, sad and slow—
Grieve, for the matchless moment flies,
While the green leaves whisper low.
Tomorrow, choked by the battle's breath,
A new embrace shall her lover know—
Not the kiss of love, but the kiss of death—
While the green leaves whisper low.
A new embrace shall her lover know—
Not the kiss of love, but the kiss of death—
While the green leaves whisper low.
| The heavenly guest with other unpublished writings | |