University of Virginia Library

He loved! such love as makes the crown of thorns
Burst into blossom on the martyr's brow;
Love's kiss first woke him, stirred his life aflush,
Like radiant roses when the Spring comes by,
He lived en rapport with love's beating heart.
Yet love but a glimpst a burst of fuller life,
Then Freedom turn'd the telescope, and lo!
Life in a jewelled circle rounding rose,
As heav'n on heav'n, goes up the starry night!
Freedom became his glittering bride. For him
She walkt the world like a divinity;
Sang like a spirit in life's darken'd ways,
I'the rainbow reacht forth girdling arms of love,
To clasp the world about the feet of God—
Throbbed in the pulsing splendour of the stars,
Turn'd common things to beauty, as the sun
Doth kindle glory in the dust; her voice
Was heard in calm, and when the mad storm rode
Upon God's war-horse ocean, maned with fire!
And when the crimson morn flowered like a rose,
Down in green, dewy dells, the brooks ran babbling,
And musky winds humm'd of her whereabouts.
Birds sang of her, and all their happy hearts
Rang out in music, leaves clapt faery hands,
The flowers for joy stood tearful in her glory,
And world went whispering unto world of freedom.
MSS.