 | Poetical Works of Lionel Johnson |  |
230
AN IDEAL
To Standish O'Grady.
White clouds embrace the dewy field,
Storm's lingering mist and breath:
And hottest Heavens to hot earth yield
Drops from the fire of death.
Storm's lingering mist and breath:
And hottest Heavens to hot earth yield
Drops from the fire of death.
Come! sigh the shrouding airs of earth:
Be with the burning night:
Learn, what her heart of flame is worth,
And eyes of glowing light.
Be with the burning night:
Learn, what her heart of flame is worth,
And eyes of glowing light.
I come not. Off, odorous airs!
Rose-scented winds, away!
Let passion garnish her wild lairs,
Hold her fierce holiday:
Rose-scented winds, away!
Let passion garnish her wild lairs,
Hold her fierce holiday:
I will not feel her dreamy toils
Glide over heart and eyes:
My thoughts shall never be her spoils,
Nor grow sad memories.
Glide over heart and eyes:
My thoughts shall never be her spoils,
Nor grow sad memories.
Mine be all proud and lonely scorn,
Keeping the crystal law
And pure air of the eternal morn:
And passion, but of awe.
Keeping the crystal law
And pure air of the eternal morn:
And passion, but of awe.
1888.
| Poetical Works of Lionel Johnson | |