 | Poems (1867) |  |
163
IF IT BE PLEASANT TO REMEMBER THEE.
If it be pleasant to remember thee,
What is it, then, what is it to forget thee?
But for a space, one moment's space to be
As though I ne'er had loved, or known, or met thee?
My soaring soul on some high quest to send,
On some stern task to bind my strength's endeavour,
Then, like the bird, with rapid wing descend
Upon the nest that is my own for ever.
What is it, then, what is it to forget thee?
But for a space, one moment's space to be
As though I ne'er had loved, or known, or met thee?
My soaring soul on some high quest to send,
On some stern task to bind my strength's endeavour,
Then, like the bird, with rapid wing descend
Upon the nest that is my own for ever.
By some sweet song, by some dear dream to be
Upon my lonely way entranced, o'ertaken;
Awhile, awhile to cease to think of thee,
Then in the sweetness of thy soul to waken!
Sweet dream, with day pass not away,
As once in hours when all my joys were fleeter;
Dear haunting lay, I bid thee stay,
And in my heart for evermore grow sweeter.
Upon my lonely way entranced, o'ertaken;
Awhile, awhile to cease to think of thee,
Then in the sweetness of thy soul to waken!
164
As once in hours when all my joys were fleeter;
Dear haunting lay, I bid thee stay,
And in my heart for evermore grow sweeter.
If still to bear thee in my mind be sweet,
What is it then, what is it then to lose thee?
In play with life to let the moments cheat
My steadfast heart that flies again to choose thee?
Afar, I see thee lift thy soul in prayer,
I see thee in thy quiet ways abiding;
Oh, sweet to me hath grown the common air,
To me, for whom the Rose of life is hiding!
What is it then, what is it then to lose thee?
In play with life to let the moments cheat
My steadfast heart that flies again to choose thee?
Afar, I see thee lift thy soul in prayer,
I see thee in thy quiet ways abiding;
Oh, sweet to me hath grown the common air,
To me, for whom the Rose of life is hiding!
| Poems (1867) | |