No fear!-or if a fear be born And one night, now the nights are short, IN A YEAR. I. NEVER any more, While I live, Need I hope to see his face As before. Once his love grown chill, Bitterly we re-embrace, II. Was it something said, Something done, Vexed him? was it touch of hand, Turn of head? Love begun: I as little understand Love's decay. III. When I sewed or drew, I recall How he looked as if I sung, -Sweetly too. If I spoke a word, Up his cheek the colour sprung, Then he heard. IV. Sitting by my side, So he breathed but air I breathed, I, too, at love's brim Touched the sweet: I would die if death bequeathed While I found some way undreamed Gave more life and more, Till, all gone, He should smile "She never seemed "Mine before. IX. "What, she felt the while, "Must I think? "Love 's so different with us men!" He should smile: "Dying for my sake "White and pink! "Can't we touch these bubbles then "But they break?" Well, this cold clay clod Crumble it, and what comes next? WOMEN AND ROSES. I. I DREAM of a red-rose tree. II. Round and round, like a dance of snow Last, in the rear, flee the multitude of maidens, They circle their rose on my rose tree. III. Dear rose, thy term is reached, Thy leaf hangs loose and bleached: IV. Stay then, stoop, since I cannot climb, Oh, to possess and be possessed! Hearts that beat 'neath each pallid breast! Drink but once and die!-In vain, the same fashion, They circle their rose on my rose tree. V. Dear rose, thy joy's undimmed; Thy cup is ruby-rimmed, Thy cup's heart nectar-brimmed. VI. Deep, as drops from a statue's plinth Prison all my soul in eternities of pleasure, Girdle me for once! But no-the old measure, VII. Dear rose without a thorn, VIII. Wings, lend wings for the cold, the clear! Roses will bloom nor want beholders, Sprung from the dust where our flesh moulders. |