 | The Cup of Quietness |  |
25
TO URTICA
Think not the sullen beauty of a brow
Bedimmed, or music of light mockery,
Or wild caprice of frolic maidenhood
Can fret my soul, bright lady; Spring, I trow,
Is not less winsome for her fitful eye,
But doth command my knee in every mood.
Bedimmed, or music of light mockery,
Or wild caprice of frolic maidenhood
Can fret my soul, bright lady; Spring, I trow,
Is not less winsome for her fitful eye,
But doth command my knee in every mood.
Not February's frank laugh and scornful frown,
Nor flashing bravery of boisterous March,
Nor cold-eyed April's petulance can chill
My faith; I know that May, with white-thorn crown,
Shall queen it 'neath the rainbow's triumph-arch,
That June the rosy promise must fulfil;
Nor flashing bravery of boisterous March,
Nor cold-eyed April's petulance can chill
My faith; I know that May, with white-thorn crown,
Shall queen it 'neath the rainbow's triumph-arch,
That June the rosy promise must fulfil;
However masked, I know the year's young heart
Beats true to that great impulse which gives birth
To flower and song, bids the bare woods array
Their limbs in splendour, bids the lark upstart
To tell the sunbeams of the joy of earth,
And all that makes the miracle of May.
Beats true to that great impulse which gives birth
To flower and song, bids the bare woods array
Their limbs in splendour, bids the lark upstart
To tell the sunbeams of the joy of earth,
And all that makes the miracle of May.
26
What though the needle quiver, and the wave
Inconstant sway; yet well the seaman knows,
Through sunless days and starless nights, his guide
Is faithful; and though baffling gusts may rave,
And thwarting currents vex his course, there flows
Beneath his keel the strong and silent tide.
Inconstant sway; yet well the seaman knows,
Through sunless days and starless nights, his guide
Is faithful; and though baffling gusts may rave,
And thwarting currents vex his course, there flows
Beneath his keel the strong and silent tide.
Tumult may shake, and poignant discords rend
The frame of Music; yet her inmost soul
Keeps unperturbed its peace; rash chords may cry
Against her law; yet all resolving blend
In beauty, paying under one control
Due homage to the rule of harmony.
The frame of Music; yet her inmost soul
Keeps unperturbed its peace; rash chords may cry
Against her law; yet all resolving blend
In beauty, paying under one control
Due homage to the rule of harmony.
So unto thee, fair potentate, is paid
Obeisance by thy rebel moods; they fling
Charms at thy feet; and as bluff March puts forth
The tender bud, so thou, impetuous maid,
Art loving as the secret heart of Spring,
And loyal as the needle to the North.
Obeisance by thy rebel moods; they fling
Charms at thy feet; and as bluff March puts forth
The tender bud, so thou, impetuous maid,
Art loving as the secret heart of Spring,
And loyal as the needle to the North.
| The Cup of Quietness | |