 | The Poems of Selwyn Image |  |
51
A WINTER'S CAROL
The bare strained branches weave a net
Across the leaden sky: the earth
Lies rigid: not one lonely flower
Dares on her nakedness to set
A trembling pledge of life's reviving hour.
Across the leaden sky: the earth
Lies rigid: not one lonely flower
Dares on her nakedness to set
A trembling pledge of life's reviving hour.
In their dumb throats all songs are dead
Of all the joyous birds that sang:
And where the rose o'er eglantine
Ablush at dawn her kisses shed,
Dank, pallid vapours creep and intertwine.
Of all the joyous birds that sang:
And where the rose o'er eglantine
Ablush at dawn her kisses shed,
Dank, pallid vapours creep and intertwine.
Ah! Ghosts of all that once beat here
Of Life, of Loveliness! O Land,
Where Paradise seemed scarce a dreaming!
O Fate, that recks no mortal tear!
Most cruel, cruel Loss, beyond redeeming!
Of Life, of Loveliness! O Land,
Where Paradise seemed scarce a dreaming!
O Fate, that recks no mortal tear!
Most cruel, cruel Loss, beyond redeeming!
Thus by the ruined wintry ways
Cried Memory in rebellious mood,
With hurrying feet across the mire:
But, Hark! a note her footstep stays,
A fresh, clear note to stir the heart's desire:
Cried Memory in rebellious mood,
With hurrying feet across the mire:
But, Hark! a note her footstep stays,
A fresh, clear note to stir the heart's desire:
A Redbreast carolling in despite
Of grim December! Thrilling voice,
That hath such magic for thy dower!
O Heart of little faith grow light!
The sun's in heaven again, the earth's a-flower!
Of grim December! Thrilling voice,
That hath such magic for thy dower!
O Heart of little faith grow light!
The sun's in heaven again, the earth's a-flower!
1900.
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