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Sonnets

By Emily Pfeiffer: Revised and Enlarged Ed.
Pfeiffer, Emily (1827-1890)

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DEDICATION TO J. E. P.
  
ENVOY TO C. R. AND M. L.
  
THE PALMER LOVE.
  
ETNA.
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ASPIRATION.
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LEARN OF THE DOG.
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THE LOST LIGHT.
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A PLEA.
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HELLAS.
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SHELLEY.
  
INVOCATION.
  
INVOCATION.
  
A REMINISCENCE.
  
THE JOY OF JOYS.
  
THE SORROW OF SORROWS.
  
TO THE MOURNERS OF LOVE.
  
WATCHMAN, WHAT OF THE NIGHT.
  
A WIND FROM OFF THE SEA.
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TO NATURE
  
PAST AND FUTURE.
  
BROKEN SPEECH.
  
TO THE BLIND ARCHITECT OF THE CITY OF LIFE
  
TO A MOTH THAT DRINKETH OF THE RIPE OCTOBER.
  
THE WINGED SOUL.
  
THE GOSPEL OF DREAD TIDINGS.
  
DREAMING.
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ON HEARING THE INTRODUCTION TO “LOHENGRIN.”
  
A CHRYSALIS.
  
THE CHILDREN OF LIGHT.
  
AN INVOCATION.
  
THE “STING OF DEATH.”
  
TO L. C. SMITH.
  
AMONG THE GLACIERS.
  
ON THE THUNER SEE.
  
THE HUNGER OF LIFE.
  
EVOLUTION.
  
LOVE AND JOY.
  
LOVE AND SORROW.
  
THE PRISONER IN THE HOUSE OF LIFE.
  
ON LOCH KATRINE.
  
AMONG THE HEBRIDES.
  
TO THE HERALD HONEYSUCKLE.
  
TO IMMORTAL MUSIC.
  
TRANSFIGURATION.
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TO THE FRIENDS OF LOVE.
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[subsection]
  
ON GUARD.
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[subsection]
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STUDIES FROM THE ANTIQUE.
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TO DR. WILHELM JORDAN.
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A PARTNERSHIP.
  
TO E. BURNE JONES, ON HIS PICTURE OF THE ANNUNCIATION.
  
SUGGESTED BY THE PICTURE OF THE ANNUNCIATION, BY E. BURNE JONES.
  
KING COPHETUA AND THE BEGGAR MAID.
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[subsection]
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CAIN AND ABEL.
  
HOPE.
  
DEAF.
  
MID-OCEAN.
  
NIAGARA.
  
BEATING THE AIR.
  
THE SOUDAN.
  
GORDON.
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A PROTEST.
  
THE COMING DAY.
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[subsection]
  
WEARIHEAD.
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SIX 14-LINE POEMS.
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34

BROKEN SPEECH.

RIPE fruit of science—demonstrated fact—
We grasp at thee in trembling expectation,
We humbly wait on thee for explanation:
Words of the Universe, enshrined in act!
Words, pregnant words, but only parts of speech
As yet, curt utterance such as children use,
With meanings struggling through but to confuse,
And hinted signs which soar beyond our reach.
Work on in patience, children of the time,
Who lend your faltering modes to Nature's voice,—
Fulfil your present task; some prize sublime,
Ye wot not of, your hearts may still rejoice,—
Some strain of music shape the wild turmoil,
And consecrate the pauses of your toil.
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