 | Irish Poems |  |
26
THE MEETING
To Ada Tyrrell
As I went through the ancient town,
Long lost and found once more,
Oh, who is this in a green gown
I knew so well of yore?
Long lost and found once more,
Oh, who is this in a green gown
I knew so well of yore?
Veils of enchantment hid the place,
Hung every street and square:
I felt the sea-wind in my face
And ruffling in my hair.
Hung every street and square:
I felt the sea-wind in my face
And ruffling in my hair.
Oh town I loved so well and lost,
And find again with tears,
Your streets hold many a darling ghost
And all the vanished years!
And find again with tears,
Your streets hold many a darling ghost
And all the vanished years!
My heart went singing a low song,
Glad to be home again.
But who is this comes blithe and young,
Not feared of life but fain?
Glad to be home again.
But who is this comes blithe and young,
Not feared of life but fain?
27
Oh, who is this comes cold as stone
To my quick cry and call?
Of all the faces loved and flown
I knew her best of all.
To my quick cry and call?
Of all the faces loved and flown
I knew her best of all.
“Stay, you are . . .” Is she deaf and blind
Or hath she quite forgot?
What chill is in the sun, the wind,
Because she knows me not?
Or hath she quite forgot?
What chill is in the sun, the wind,
Because she knows me not?
As I went down—my eyes were wet—
Eager and stepping fast
That was my own sweet youth I met
Who knew me not and passed.
Eager and stepping fast
That was my own sweet youth I met
Who knew me not and passed.
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