 | Poems in Love's looking glass |  |
155
BEAUTY
These other things of earth and sky
Are still most beautiful, and yet
I still can love them quietly.
Are still most beautiful, and yet
I still can love them quietly.
That broad flush where the sun has set
Lingering awhile for the moon's sake,
And the grey sea, I shall forget.
Lingering awhile for the moon's sake,
And the grey sea, I shall forget.
Why will forgetfulness not take
The troubled longing from my heart
Which thy flushed face and grey eyes make?
The troubled longing from my heart
Which thy flushed face and grey eyes make?
Art thou, thou only, more than part
Of this great beauty of the whole,
That but for thee my quick nerves start?
Of this great beauty of the whole,
That but for thee my quick nerves start?
Hast thou some hidden magic of soul
Which draws my eyes and hands and feet
As the moon draws the waves that roll?
Which draws my eyes and hands and feet
As the moon draws the waves that roll?
156
It may be, for I know well, sweet,
I have no word to say, at best,
But the waves' word which the winds repeat.
I have no word to say, at best,
But the waves' word which the winds repeat.
(Moon, is this spell thy potentest?
Cannot the waves mount up to heaven,
Or else this tossing sink to rest?)
Cannot the waves mount up to heaven,
Or else this tossing sink to rest?)
Conjure no more; let me be given
To love thy beauty peacefully
Like sunshine or the silver Seven.
To love thy beauty peacefully
Like sunshine or the silver Seven.
| Poems in Love's looking glass | |