Mystic Trees by Michael Field [i.e. K. H. Bradley and E. E. Cooper] |
 |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
|
| I. |
| II. |
|
TO A CUCKOO, INTERRUPTING
PRAYER |
|
|
 | Mystic Trees |  |
85
TO A CUCKOO, INTERRUPTING PRAYER
Cuckoo, thou comest unawares,As with a question to my prayers;
Full am I of my soul's annoy—
And thou, indifferent in joy,
Dost toss thy voice as if a ball,
Dost chase, and fling and let it fall.
Tempted am I to thy free-faring:
Cuckoo, but there is no comparing!
The Apple hung upon the bough
When, renegade from Eden, thou
To thy freebooter's life broke loose.
My teeth have pressed against the juice,
The foaming juice of sin's delight.
Christ my offences doth requite;
He died upon the Cross for these—
To win back my Hesperides:
And I remain upon my knees.
| Mystic Trees | |