 | Song-bloom |  |
245
NOT ONE?
Of the roses that thine hands have handled
In sweet past days,
Days of gentle summers golden-sandalled,
Are there no strays?
In sweet past days,
Days of gentle summers golden-sandalled,
Are there no strays?
Not a petal for my heart to foster,
O love, O queen,—
Did every blossom perish when I lost her,
My flower serene?
O love, O queen,—
Did every blossom perish when I lost her,
My flower serene?
274
Hast thou not a single blue sky, gleaming
Divine for me?
Not a starry night, a moon-ray dreaming
Above our sea?
Divine for me?
Not a starry night, a moon-ray dreaming
Above our sea?
Not a thought, a kiss, a dear look tender
Seeking my gaze?
One vision of the swift eyes' splendour,
Their deep sea-rays?
Seeking my gaze?
One vision of the swift eyes' splendour,
Their deep sea-rays?
One vision of the white bright shoulder,—
Love, only one?
For is not all my dead life colder
Without its sun?
Love, only one?
For is not all my dead life colder
Without its sun?
A little thing it is,—and can it harm thee,
This little thing?
Just once to let the love-god warm thee
With warm soft wing?
This little thing?
Just once to let the love-god warm thee
With warm soft wing?
275
Yea, once to let the love-god hold thee
White breast to breast;
To let his radiant arms enfold thee,
One hour be blest.
White breast to breast;
To let his radiant arms enfold thee,
One hour be blest.
Rose-lips, upon my own lips settle!
Sweet face, come near!
Thou art flaming like a pink rose-petal;
Oh, have no fear!
Sweet face, come near!
Thou art flaming like a pink rose-petal;
Oh, have no fear!
Flower-mouth, upon my own mouth glisten;
Be not afraid;
The love-god's ears, and not another's, listen—
Unwind that braid.
Be not afraid;
The love-god's ears, and not another's, listen—
Unwind that braid.
Let the dark hair ripple round the shoulder,
The shoulder thrill;
Let kiss by kiss wax passionate and bolder;
Obey love's will.
The shoulder thrill;
Let kiss by kiss wax passionate and bolder;
Obey love's will.
| Song-bloom | |