 | English Roses |  |
BREAKING NEW GROUND.
I was bold and too ambitious
And I yearned,
If the years would be propitious
As I laboured on and learned—
This to do, what never men did,
And to break new ground and splendid
For the lands;
Giving boons which none had earned,
By the cunning of my hands.
Not in me the thirst for laurels
Woke, nor petty lust of quarrels,
But invisible commands.
And I yearned,
If the years would be propitious
As I laboured on and learned—
This to do, what never men did,
And to break new ground and splendid
For the lands;
Giving boons which none had earned,
By the cunning of my hands.
Not in me the thirst for laurels
Woke, nor petty lust of quarrels,
But invisible commands.
So I sought the Sirens' places
Swooning sweet,
Where white blooms of breasts and graces
Soft of rare and rhythmic feet
Wooed me, and in accents crisper
Waves with low caressing whisper
Washed the shore.
Arms were opened mad to meet
Mine, and teach me tender lore;
But the scarlet lips and clinging
Raptures dear as dew and singing,
Seemed a tale I knew before.
Swooning sweet,
Where white blooms of breasts and graces
Soft of rare and rhythmic feet
Wooed me, and in accents crisper
Waves with low caressing whisper
Washed the shore.
Arms were opened mad to meet
Mine, and teach me tender lore;
But the scarlet lips and clinging
Raptures dear as dew and singing,
Seemed a tale I knew before.
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Then of seas and earth a trial
And a test,
Did I make with sore denial
Yielding up the bright and best;
Searching both, the hall and hovel,
Caverns blue and green for novel
Treasure fair.
And I pushed my solemn quest,
Through the temples of the air.
But I found it not in ocean,
Height or deep, or pure devotion
And the crimson altar stair.
And a test,
Did I make with sore denial
Yielding up the bright and best;
Searching both, the hall and hovel,
Caverns blue and green for novel
Treasure fair.
And I pushed my solemn quest,
Through the temples of the air.
But I found it not in ocean,
Height or deep, or pure devotion
And the crimson altar stair.
Next into the night I wandered
Lone and late,
Grudging nought, and still I squandered
Love and life within its gate;
Hoping, in those dusky sources,
Thus to find un-dreamed of forces
There enwrapt.
Much I ventured too with Fate,
Fronting barriers yet unsapt.
But, though I encountered peril,
Little came from pasture sterile
Of those circuits never mapt.
Lone and late,
Grudging nought, and still I squandered
Love and life within its gate;
Hoping, in those dusky sources,
Thus to find un-dreamed of forces
There enwrapt.
Much I ventured too with Fate,
Fronting barriers yet unsapt.
But, though I encountered peril,
Little came from pasture sterile
Of those circuits never mapt.
Oft of children sage and simple
Asking aid
I would learn, and from the dimple
Of some innocent shy maid;
While their frank and sudden questions
Brought me infinite suggestions
Dim as dawn.
Yes, I sometimes waxed afraid,
At the wisdom from them drawn.
But I missed the secret magic,
And my soul by stages tragic
Seemed a losing player's pawn.
Asking aid
I would learn, and from the dimple
Of some innocent shy maid;
While their frank and sudden questions
Brought me infinite suggestions
Dim as dawn.
Yes, I sometimes waxed afraid,
At the wisdom from them drawn.
But I missed the secret magic,
And my soul by stages tragic
Seemed a losing player's pawn.
Lastly, tired of useless living
Off I went,
From the maze of old misgiving
To the bourne in shadow pent,
And the silence of that city
Sunk beneath the hope and pity
Which men crave;
And in this poor body rent,
Found the knowledge that could save.
And new ground, where love was lying,
Out of dust and from its dying
Broke in blossom from my grave.
Off I went,
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To the bourne in shadow pent,
And the silence of that city
Sunk beneath the hope and pity
Which men crave;
And in this poor body rent,
Found the knowledge that could save.
And new ground, where love was lying,
Out of dust and from its dying
Broke in blossom from my grave.
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