 | Poems |  |
158
TO A LADY
WITH EDWARD DOWDEN'S POEMS.
Henrietta, in whose face
We a soul's experience trace
Through the working lines of grace;
We a soul's experience trace
Through the working lines of grace;
Here is one in words who tries
To express the ecstacies
That inform your cheeks and eyes;
To express the ecstacies
That inform your cheeks and eyes;
Springing ecstacies, controll'd,
Lest the world too much behold;
As befits one of the fold.
Lest the world too much behold;
As befits one of the fold.
I would think, if I might guess,
That this holy rapturousness
Which both he and you express,
That this holy rapturousness
Which both he and you express,
He with words, and you with looks,
Drawing, as with shepherd-crooks,
Thirsty souls to living brooks;
Drawing, as with shepherd-crooks,
Thirsty souls to living brooks;
Though from one same fountain sent,
And with one benign intent,
Comes through channels different.
And with one benign intent,
Comes through channels different.
God is one. His gifts of grace
Flow to man through countless ways;
So the greater be His praise.
Flow to man through countless ways;
So the greater be His praise.
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