(Written in a copy of "La Vita Nuova". For M. C. S.)If you were Lady Beatrice And I the Florentine, I'd never waste my time like this --If you were Lady Beatrice I'd woo and then demand a kiss, Nor weep like Dante here, I ween, If you were Lady Beatrice And I the Florentine.
III
(Written in a copy of "The Poems of Sappho".)Beyond the dim Hesperides, The girl who sang them long ago Could never dream that over seas, Beyond the dim Hesperides, The wind would blow such songs as these --I wonder now if she can know, Beyond the dim Hesperides, The girl who sang them long ago?
IV
Dead leaves upon the stream And dead leaves on the air --All of my lost hopes seem Dead leaves upon the stream;I watch them in a dream, Going I know not where, Dead leaves upon the stream And dead leaves on the air.
Vox CorporisThe beast to the beast is calling, And the soul bends down to wait;Like the stealthy lord of the jungle, The white man calls his mate.
The beast to the beast is calling, They rush through the twilight sweet, But the soul is a wary hunter, He will not let them meet.
A Ballad of Two KnightsTwo knights rode forth at early dawn A-seeking maids to wed, Said one, "My lady must be fair, With gold hair on her head."Then spake the other knight-at-arms:
"I care not for her face, But she I love must be a dove For purity and grace."And each knight blew upon his horn And went his separate way, And each knight found a lady-love Before the fall of day.
But she was brown who should have had The shining yellow hair --I ween the knights forgot their words Or else they ceased to care.
For he who wanted purity Brought home a wanton wild, And when each saw the other knight I ween that each knight smiled.
Christmas CarolThe kings they came from out the south, All dressed in ermine fine, They bore Him gold and chrysoprase, And gifts of precious wine.
The shepherds came from out the north, Their coats were brown and old, They brought Him little new-born lambs --They had not any gold.
The wise-men came from out the east, And they were wrapped in white;The star that led them all the way Did glorify the night.
The angels came from heaven high, And they were clad with wings;And lo, they brought a joyful song The host of heaven sings.
The kings they knocked upon the door, The wise-men entered in, The shepherds followed after them To hear the song begin.
And Mary held the little child And sat upon the ground;She looked up, she looked down, She looked all around.
The angels sang thro' all the night Until the rising sun, But little Jesus fell asleep Before the song was done.
The Faery ForestThe faery forest glimmered Beneath an ivory moon, The silver grasses shimmered Against a faery tune.
Beneath the silken silence The crystal branches slept, And dreaming thro' the dew-fall The cold white blossoms wept.
A FantasyHer voice is like clear water That drips upon a stone In forests far and silent Where Quiet plays alone.
Her thoughts are like the lotus Abloom by sacred streams Beneath the temple arches Where Quiet sits and dreams.
Her kisses are the roses That glow while dusk is deep In Persian garden closes Where Quiet falls asleep.
A Minuet of Mozart'sAcross the dimly lighted room The violin drew wefts of sound, Airily they wove and wound And glimmered gold against the gloom.
I watched the music turn to light, But at the pausing of the bow, The web was broken and the glow Was drowned within the wave of night.
TwilightDreamily over the roofs The cold spring rain is falling, Out in the lonely tree A bird is calling, calling.
Slowly over the earth The wings of night are falling;My heart like the bird in the tree Is calling, calling, calling.
The PrayerMy answered prayer came up to me, And in the silence thus spake he:
"O you who prayed for me to come, Your greeting is but cold and dumb."My heart made answer: "You are fair, But I have prayed too long to care.
Why came you not when all was new, And I had died for joy of you."Two Songs for a ChildIGrandfather's LoveThey said he sent his love to me, They wouldn't put it in my hand, And when I asked them where it was They said I couldn't understand.
I thought they must have hidden it, I hunted for it all the day, And when I told them so at night They smiled and turned their heads away.
They say that love is something kind, That I can never see or touch.
I wish he'd sent me something else, I like his cough-drops twice as much.
II
The Kind MoonI think the moon is very kind To take such trouble just for me.
He came along with me from home To keep me company.
He went as fast as I could run;
I wonder how he crossed the sky?
I'm sure he hasn't legs and feet Or any wings to fly.
Yet here he is above their roof;
Perhaps he thinks it isn't right For me to go so far alone, Tho' mother said I might.
On the Tower Under the leaf of many a Fable lies the Truth for those who look for it.
Jami.
On the Tower(A play in one act.)
The Knight.
The Lady.
Voices of men and women on the ground at the foot of the tower.
The voice of the Knight's Page.
The top of a high battlemented tower of a castle. A stone ledge, which serves as a seat, extends part way around the parapet.
Small clouds float by in the blue sky, and occasionally a swallow passes.
Entrance R. from an unseen stairway which is supposed to extend around the outside of the tower.
The Lady (unseen).
Oh do not climb so fast, for I am faint With looking down the tower to where the earth Lies dreaming in the sun. I fear to fall.
The Knight (unseen).
Lean on me, love, my love, and look not down.
L.
Call me not "love", call me your conquered foe, That now, since you have battered down her gates, Gives you the keys that lock the highest tower And mounts with you to prove her homage true;Oh bid me go no farther lest I fall, My foot has slipped upon the rain-worn stones, Why are the stairs so narrow and so steep?
Let us go back, my lord.
K.
Are you afraid, Who were so dauntless till the walls gave way?
Courage, my sweet. I would that I could climb A thousand times by wind-swept stairs like these, That lead so near to heaven.
L.
Sir, you may, You are a knight and very valorous;I am a woman. I shall never come This way but once.
