starlight songs. 3 1924 013 564 194 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92401 35641 94 STARLIGHT SONGS STARLIGHT SONGS BY EVELYN THRELFALL " Thou clearest Star of all the throng, Abo/Be dim sea and shadowy shore. Take thou this broken gift of song; Alast that I can give no more." LONDON KEGAN PAUL,, TRENCH, TRUBNER, & CO. LtP PATERNOSTER HOUSE, CHARING CROSS ROAD 189s ^.Mlo^5- Shells gathered idly hy a Southern lea, Frail, broken toys wave^scattered on the sand, — Such are the dreamful songs I bring to thee, Not worth thy glance; hut thou wilt understand How Memory and how Hope walked hand in hand H^here, by Lovers ebbing ocean-tide set free, The pale sea-grass, the bright shell's burning band, Gave token of his boundless treasury. I have no notes to reach Love's depth and height. And the sea keeps its secret to the last. Holding the mirrored stars of Southern night, Holding all dreams to come, all raptures past. Salt with eternal tears—even this is Love, My song a shell, my life a wave thereof. OVERTURE Stars ! as gold in the mines of night, Stars, as joys on the face of pain. Look on us, who remember again Morning and noontide vanished from sight. Where is the Sun-god's glory and might. The three-fold arch at the gates of rain, The rippled cloudlets light and white. The green of grass, and the gold of grain ? Where is the day at whose heart we have lain ? But the ear of Night makes all prayers -Bain I What of the morrows that, glad or weeping, Tread the old paths to the one old end ? — Rushes, over our graves that bend, Bow to earth at their wings' wide sweeping, Sand upon dust is Time upheaping As drops of rain with a river blend ; And the winged days touch not our place of sleeping. With lips grown languid to foe and friend. OVERTURE We blame no more what the gods may send, The once rent robe they may not rend ; What shall our loss be, what our gain ? £ut the ear of Night makes all prayers vain! Children glad to the pale night born, Fair star-children, only you Out of the deep dusk dank with dew Shine on us, speak to us, us forlorn With feet way-weary and garments torn, No prize but sleep for our soul's due ; Though noontide gave us burning scorn And purple grief was the twilight's hue, You, silver-speared, one hope pursue, Join hands, and stretch from the old to the new. The new day, born without sorrow or stain ! £ut the ear of Night makes all prayers vain ! Are you souls of joys dead long ago, Joys that weep on the breast of God, Weep for glad gardens yet untrod At the first fierce breath of the wind and snow ; Though life-germs slumber their feet below. Even where the death frost nips the sod. They may not welcome them, for they go Where by dark streams pale poppies nod. OVERTURE For the lips of Love have kissed the rod And his feet go down into Hell unshod, Shall ho crown in the end for his cross remain ? jBuf the ear of Night makes all prayers vain I We dreamed Life different, aye, and Death A dream, a trance, but not a grave ; New worlds we looked for, strong and brave For Heaven above, or Hell beneath. But as the rose' dies in yon wreath We die, and Earth receives, who gave. Rust, warrior's sword, within the sheath ! Lie still, dry brush, dead craftsman's slave ! The hands that wielded, no more crave Through you the crowns that could not save, They sow, they go — Fate reaps the grain. But the ear of Night makes all prayers vain ! Stars, you are above, and beneath, the sea. Sea that spreads to the far South Pole, Thither the following billows roll. Thither the gull flies, and is free. But oh, sweet stars, 'twixt you and me, A greater grief outstrips control And is not measured as this may be. No waves waft onward the pilgrim soul, OVERTURE Her guiding chart is an empty scroll, She shall sink, sink, sink, from her stars, her goal, To the depths of space, where the worlds refrain. Ok Night I good-night, if our prayers be vain ! Stars of the South we call you ; yet. South and North and East and West Are one to your cold eternal rest, To your eyes that watch years rise and set With bitter longing and mad regret. The lives of men unguided, unblest. The dust of Earth that the years forget. See yonder, over the black hill crest, The light of a cross on Night's mournful breast. The cross with the crown in Heaven, seen best By wanderers burnt with the red sun-stain. Oh Night I good-night, if our prayers be vain ! Lo, yon half shut magnolia flower That in dark foliage dimly hides, Robed in white beauty like a bride's, Is queen of all the moonlit hour ; Not England's rose, her June's best dower. In whose warm heart the bee abides. Wins memory back, as from dark bower The great white star uncurls, divides, OVERTURE As if some wave of heavenly tides Had washed a planet to Earth's sides, Oh living star, oh perfumed pain ! OA Night I good-night, if our prayers be vain I Oh stars of mine, draw me homeward still. Home to the breast of night and peace. Till the sounds of Life grow faint and cease, And the world that spins like a wheeling mill Drops out of sight's way over the hill. And pillowed safe in a soft cloud's crease The tired soul lies and sleeps his fill. Though God should give for the world's release The mystic Lamb of the silver fleece. His blood renews no lifetime's lease, Nor brings one dead joy back again. Oh Night 1 good-night, if our prayers be vain t Dear stars. Eternity has kissed Your pale cold eyes that gaze and gaze. And pass not from the deathless ways, Where sapphire burns to amethyst Beyond the heaven of heavens — yet list, Eternal, to one winged moth's praise. Who not one hour may Fate resist. My heart close up to your own heart raise OVERTURE Beyond the burden of nights and days, Life's footsteps pass, but the throned Love stays The changeless Love at whose heart we have lain. OA Night, good-night, for our prayers are vain ! CONTENTS in. WHEN WE PARTED PAGE I. AT EDEN'S gate 13 II. ODE TO SYDNEY HARBOUR 1 8 24 IV. THE ROAD TO FERN TREE SPRING . . . . 30 V. WALTZ MUSIC 36 VI. TO C. R. F. T. 41 VII. THE PASSION FLOWER 46 VIII. THE OFFERING 51 IX. THE ROSE 53 X. THE ROSE AND THE STAR 54 XL THE TEMPLE OF FAME 56 XII. A SONG OF A GARDEN 59 XIIL A SONG OF LOVE AND DEATH . . . . . 6l XIV. REMEMBRANCE 62 XV. A MELODY 64 XVI. A REQUIEM 65 XVIL " SI JEUNESSE SAVAIT " 66 XVIII. TO A BABY 67 XIX. AT A life's end 69 XX. THROUGH HOPE TO SLEEP 72 XXI. AN ANTHEM OF MORTALITY 74 xi xii CONTENTS PAGE XXII. SONNET— PYGMALION'S DREAM . . . •76- XXIII. SONNET — THE FULFILMENT 77 XXIV. SONNET 78 XXV. SONNET 79 XXVI. LIFE 80 XXVII. FAILURE . . , 81 XXVIII. IN THE GARDEN OF THE SHADOW . . . -83 XXIX. RONDEL 85 XXX. RONDEL 86 XXXI. RONDEL 87 XXXII. RONDEL 88 XXXIII. SERENADE 89 XXXIV. HYMN 92 XXXV. SUNSET-LAND 9S XXXVL SONNET — GOOD-NIGHT 97 XXXVII. ENVOI 98 STARLIGHT SONGS I AT EDEN'S GATE ^^ With footsteps faltering on the strand. We lean on Thee, and weep to part ; The gift of Life is in Thy hand. The sword of Death is in our heart." Love is henceforth the light That turns to day the night, Starless and cold ; In that eternal dawn, On dewy wood and lawn, His flowers unfold. A world not Heaven, nor Earth, Sweet at the springtide's birth With young green leaves ; Till suns, of summer lit. Make gold the face of it With harvest sheaves 14 STARLIGHT SONGS The rose is red in June, The lark has no such tune As here he sings ; Springtime and Summer here Glide round, nor dies the year On wintry wings. They who have entered in Are souls from strife and sin New-born to God, Our God, whose word is love. Rung through the sacred grove His feet have trod. Their white robes brush the grass That bendeth as they pass With flowers weighed down ; By waters calm as peace They find, where wanderings cease, Their starry crown. The mystic morning breaks And heart on heart awakes With waking flowers ; A world they have not known Is ever more their own In all its hours. AT EDEN'S GATE 15 Oh years too short to hold All dreams of days of old, All hopes to come ! Oh meadows where we dwell, Of rose and asphodel, Oh happy home 1 Our only God and Lord Not he, of saints adored In Nazareth ; But Thou, oh more Divine, We take Thy bread and wine For life or death. Lo Time, and Fate, and Chance Ever their awful dance Lead on, still on ; Ah, what are we to them — We, who that tide would stem, And then — are gone ! But Thou, not born of Earth, Who art 'twixt Death and Birth, 'Twixt joy and pain ; Thou only friend of man, Undimmed Thy face we scan While tear-drops rain. 1 6 STARLIGHT SONGS Oh draw us nearer yet Where souls, like stars, are set Around Thy shrine ; Where, vaulted by deep skies, Thine altar flames arise, Their glories shine. No voice like Thine, no sway. Whose service night and day Is only song : The music of all spheres Transcribed to iriortal ears A sweet hfe long. ***** And yet we weep ; so brief 'Twixt green and falling leaf So brief the time ; Though joys of ages meet In one sublime heart's beat, One kiss sublime Our love, so lately born. That looks in ways unworn His steps to trace ; Our love, not ours, but paid Where springtime fields are made A desert place. AT EDEN'S GATE 17 His myrtle flowers even now Twine with the cypress bough To wreath his head, And from immortal lips Deep tears those words eclipse The sweetest said. Ah, by the thunders of the strand Frotn thee, from thee, how shall we part 1 The gift of Life is in Thy hand. The sword of Death is in our heart! II ODE TO SYDNEY HARBOUR Here I look thee over, Sister of the sea, And thy languid sleep discover In the arms of Earth thy lover. With the skies for canopy. Now my spirit trembles Face to face with thee, For what beauty thine resembles, In whose mask dark Fate dissembles, What hath been and what shall be ? In Earth's green embraces. Sister of the sea. Sleep, and dream of future races. Treading down thy far high places. Where no footstep yet might be. ODE TO SYDNEY HARBOUR 19 There's a time for slumber, Thine awhile may be, Till the years their full tide number, Till Time's path thou dost encumber. And his wide wings shadow thee. Sapphire at sun-shining, Opal at sunset. In day-dawn or day-declining Green grey robes with rose-red lining, And a red-gold coronet. And at night resplendent Rise the great white moons. Through the steel-blue deeps ascendant, High above thy darkness pendant, Brighter than the blaze of noons. There's a pure bright highway Leading into space, Who shall tread it ? nay, but I may. Sea-ward, star-ward, is it my way To the soul's abiding-place ? Night, ablaze with glory, And alive with wings ! Hearts grown weary, heads grown hoary. Live in thy romantic story Feasted from thy living sjirings. ODE TO SYDNEY HARBOUR Thou hast many morrows, I have but to-day, But thy star-robed sadness borrows, From their endless joys and sorrows, Who are born and pass away. Thou wilt whisper lowly Unto them as me, Words that make life glad and holy. Till they fain would cry, " Creep slowly, Stream of Time, towards the sea ! " Swift their time of blooming. Swift their joyless end. Food for thankless Death's consuming. Shells of yonder seas' entombing. Shells the great waves seize and rend. On thy vast blue ceiling Stars their history write, But for ever unrevealing. Wide-eyed sphinx to all appealing. Thou dost watch the face of Night. Still thy breast untired Nurses Heaven asleep. Heaven — where never soul aspired Seeking out the crown desired — Falls upon thine heart to weep. 22 STARLIGHT SONGS Whirling realms of nations Are as nought to thee, Latest of all Earth's creations ! Southern stars from their high stations Saw thee born of air and sea. Mirror of eternal Days that are as years : — In thy graspi are powers infernal, But a forest garland vernal Is the robe thy queendom wears. From thy wisdom's treasure Canst thou tell us this. Shall a few years' pain or pleasure Be of Love and Life the measure, See the end of all that is ? With calm eyes beholding All the things that be, Tell us some sweet truth worth holding Of the wings of God enfolding. Souls that Death shall but set free. But thy silence teaches In a tongue unknown, Man that wonders and beseeches, Man that unto Godhead reaches. Hath the grave for Godhead's throne. ODE TO SYDNEY HARBOUR Peace ! the dusk is dreary, Yet the noon is bright, Flash thy purple wings, glad Peri, Till the eyes of Love wax weary, Till the soul finds rest in night. Ill WHEN WE PARTED Still the cattle in the pasture wander through the long, warm days, And the mournful gumtrees rustle in the forest's ferny maze, And the woodland scents and music, that will haunt m^ till I die. Bring me back the hour long years since, when we parted, you and I. Maiden of the wind-swept pasture, grown to wife and motherhood, Leaving in the years behind you, passion dimly understood ! When you wedded I could bear it, for the worst was done before, When I loved you, yes, and left you, and in leaving loved you more ; But I lacked the faith to keep you, faith in your heart and my own. Left you doubting, left you, lost you — oh my love, had I but known ! For I know now that you loved me, dreamed me false and gave your life. WHEN WE PARTED 25 Loveless, to another's keeping, who could dare to call you " wife ! " And you live in peace and honour, never shall our paths unite, And you bear unto another children that were mine by right,— Mine, if I had known my riches, kept the heart I knew too late. Then I had not wandered lonely by the cold dark seas of Fate, — Lonely, loveless, — for the memory of your slightest smile or sigh Blots out all the world of women since we parted, you and I. "Never trust the love of women!" cried a voice within my heart, And I listened, and I watched you, dreaming that you played a part. And our first long kiss at evening grew a phantom by the mom. And the words the pure stars taught us were the brazen sunlight's scorn ; Though your arms around me bound me to your mouth of flowerlike red, And your fragrant hair blown round me as a rose's scent was shed, 26 STARLIGHT SONGS And your white breast warmly beating, passion shaken for my sake ! Till your kisses conquered reason — I could dream and never wake ! All the night looked pale with passion — all the morrow cold with doubt, And your voice was drowned in noises echoing from the world without ; Till one morn came cold and jealous, froze my heart and bade me fly, Cursbd, cruel voice that called me when we parted, you and I! Where the waving rushes whisper, down beside the stagnant creek. We would watch the red sun setting on the distant mountain peak, And your face had caught a radiance from the rose- clouds in the west. And your burning eyes were sh^adowed as you veiled them on my breast ; Oh better had I borne you over purple hills afar, To the seas that slumber never, out heyond the evening star, From the green Austrahan pastures to the wondrous worlds of old. To the paths of Fate's directing and the years that should unfold, — WHEN WE PARTED 27 Hair wherein the sun was woven ! pale lips burned to passion's red ! Was my happy heart your pillow once, oh jasmine- scented head ? Once, and never more for ever! Fate's unfathomed waters lie 'Twixt my heart and you who loved me, when we parted, you and I. Would that your white arms had bound me, chained me always to your side, That I might not turn and wander over deserts waste and wide j Had you known the word to stay me, known to speak your inmost heart. These lone hills and this dull river never could have seen us part ! How should you have known my longing when myself I did not know, How should you have bid me linger when I bade myself to go! Darling, you were but a woman, slow to read man's changeful mind. Knowing not your beauty's power, nor its strength to hold and bind, Andyou took mysentence meekly, as the slave of my desire. Knowing not one word might quicken all my smoulder- ing heart to fire ; 28 STARLIGHT SONGS Had you chosen, you had broken all my chains and set me free, You had been my life for ever — heart and soul and mind of me! We had faced our fate together, welcoming its good or ill. Onward through the deep green valley, onward to the frozen hill. Pilgrims from the dawn to sunset, led by Eros golden- winged. Passing through the gates of evening, where the sun hangs purple-ringed. Passing to the Night eternal, night unvexed of dream or sound, As a perfect flower will perish, stamped and silent in the ground ; — But Life's tree will never blossom nor his chalice brim with wine ! Let the night endure for ever, once the day were mines . and thine ! — But it is not, no nor shall be, we shall die, who never lived, Stronger is the love that holds us than the dim faith half believed ; Love is Life, and we have missed it, turned away when he drew nigh, Joy was offered for our taking — but we parted, you and I! WHEN WE PARTED 29 Now the sky grows grey above me, and the wheeling curlew cries, " Love is not the good we dreamed of — Life is fashioned out of lies ! " I have lost you, who so loved you, who shall love ybu till I die. And forget at last that ever we were parted, you and L IV THE ROAD TO FERN TREE SPRING Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring The cool ferns rustled«in the wood, When I rode forth to gain a thing That was to me Life's only good. Oh Love so lightly understood ! Oh last gleam of a golden wing ! I may not ride now, though I would, Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. The deep, cool stillness after rain, The fragrant earth, the dripping trees. The road still winding to attain The far-off mountain's mysteries, The dappled shade the boughs would fling— My dream of joy endeared all these, Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. Till, all the long miles nigh rode through, I saw her standing by the fence THE ROAD TO FERN TREE SPRING 31 To greet me with a shyness new, A heavenly coldness of pretence. She knew the gift I came to bring, She knew I loved her, soul and sense, Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. She stood between the day and night. Between red sunset and pale moon. Her head drooped in the mystic light As droops a lily in the noon ; Her voice was low and faltering. Her beauty made my senses swoon. Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. I leaped from off my horse in haste (The moon grew bright, the day waxed pale) The world without was but a waste^ I feared to let her power prevail. Yet spoke, on reason's backward swing, I kissed her, by the paddock rail. Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. Oh unforgotten moment ! won From out the clutch of ruthless Fate ! I clasped her close, my only one, The mistress of my love and hate, 32 STARLIGHT SONGS My heart that gold head pillowing, — Ah me, ah me, we hngered late Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. I rode away before the morn, I rode to win her wealth and fame ; Her love should never turn to scorn, Her pride should be to bear my name. For I would conquer Life, and bring All gifts. to feed that altar flame Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. I whispered close to her pale mouth One year should see me claim my bride. Then East and West and North and South I fought the cold, fierce ocean-tide ; One gold tress twisted in a ring Was all my token of that ride Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. For her I fought, for her I won, I came, when Summer's golden haze Lay on this land that loves the sun. The land of pastoral, peaceful days. Straight as a shaft flies from the string I passed along the old, old ways Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. THE ROAD TO FERN TREE SPRING 33 I drew so near our meeting-place, I dreamed I kissed her lips again ; Then, ah ! I saw her living face. Her grey eyes washed wirti purple stain, Her shape, her light, swift footsteps' swing. Her loosened tresses' golden grace, Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. But, oh ! just gods ! even more than this I saw, and better were she dead ! A stranger came that face to kiss. And laughed, and stroked that sunlit head : Even now I feel the serpent sting That turned the azure sky blood-red, Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. I held my hand — I did not slay ; Oh, woman, you were pale with fear ! " I was the fool," you cried that day ; " I left you for a whole long year, As if you were a flower to fling Aside for months !" — I had faint cheer Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. For so you spoke when he was gone. And I rode up and faced you there ; Ah, well, poor reed that I leaned on. You have some sorrow for your share ! 34 STARLIGHT SONGS I think your guardian saint took wing When you grew false through sheer despair, Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. Ah, better you had died, in truth ; And 1 — I dreamed of death that hour ; But in a flash, my stricken youth. My slain love, faded like a flower. I saw what gifts the years might bring : Great truths should crush that falsehood's power Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. So forward ! to outlive the lie. Far from your false white arms and breast. Though I shall carry till I die The fierce regret that cannot rest. Though love has grown a worthless thing, I see you always, golden tressed. Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. I see you always, though again I shall not clasp your perjured hand ; Though love survive, betwixt us twain For ever more the fierce gods stand ! Farewell ! for myriad voices sing From shore to shore, though none remain Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring. THE ROAD TO FERN TREE SPRING 35 Farewell, farewell ! Had you been true, Even life had been not much to miss, But now — a few more years lived through, And we forget the pang of this. — Death's starry silence shall not bring One promise precious as your kiss Upon the road to Fern Tree Spring ! V WALTZ MUSIC Round and round, As the world swings, so swing we Planets in one course set free; Come what may, this hour has found My heart beating close to thee. Circle on, Faint not, fair feet silken shod. That upon my heart have trod ! Till day break and night be gone. Circle still my sun, my god ! Long, how long I have waited till this hour Bring my life to perfect flower ; I have suffered scorn and wrong ; Fled, but could not flee thy power. 36 WALTZ MUSIC 37 If I go, Empty is the world beyond ; Dead as if a wizard's wand Wrought a moon-cold waste of snow, Where her face shines not, fierce or fond. If in dreams I behold her, she who keeps Love a slave that laughs or weeps. Life a glass of swift sand-streams. Time a chasm Hope o'erleaps — If my face, Pressed to hers, makes sleep divine As a draught of charmed wine (Though not mine that happy place, And that pillow sweet not mine) — Yet the ghost Of the rapture that I have not Far outrules the lips I crave not Of the rose-crowned maiden host. Lips whose kisses lose not, save not ! If I wake' To her cold and careless glance, There's a warm white breast the dance Stirs to panting breaths that shake All the outer walls of chance. 38 STARLIGHT SONGS White is she, White as snow, as fire is white. As a star-flame in the night, Only burning cold to me. Scorching to a nearer sight. If I span With my arm that slender shape, In the dance there's no escape ; Let her fly me if she can. Though the gulf of Judgment gape ! Near, so near. Wheeling thus, I breathe her breath. And the earth whirls underneath With a joy as deep as fear, Awful as the kiss of death. Oh, my own ! (Since one moment with my arm I may hold thee as a charm, Call thy beauty mine alone. Circle, circling thee from harm.) Time that flies. Shall not give this hour again ; Love that wanes as moons that wane. Faints not ever in thine eyes, If thy breast his head disdain. WALTZ MUSIC 39 From thy scorn, He may seek some refuge still, Over valley, over hill. Through the night and on to morn, And thy day break lone and chill. Then in vain. Vain to call him name on name, With wide eyes and lips aflame. Shall to-night return again. To-morrow night, and be the same ? No, be wise. Dear brown eyes that gaze as though Slumbered still thg spirits' glow, Ere its sun of Love arise : Who shall ever love thee so ? Better now, Now to take a whole life's gift. Than to wait with watchful thrift. And a white-wreathed maiden brow, As the slow days deathward drift. On thy breast Pale tuberoses faint are drooping ; I will give thee for thy stooping Orange flowers of golden crest, In white robes as angels grouping. 40 STARLIGHT SONGS Bronze-brown hair ! They shall wreathe thee, crown thee, make Monarch of thee for my sake ! Thou a woman art and fair, To a woman's queendom wake ! Round and round, White and warm and silken-swathed, As a fragrant flower is spathed, •Perfumed tresses lily-crowned, All in golden radiance bathed. Round and round ! Till the world whirls out of sight. And the stars dance in the night, — Round my heart a serpent wound, Long and supple, warm and white. Round and round ! So the music leads us ever ; As two leaves float down a river, We are vanquished by the sound : Closer cling — oh ! leave me never. Round and round ! So I clasp thine hand, and draw Thy soul homewards by Love's law. Till two spirits lost and found, Grow one being without flaw. VI TO C. R. F. T. Thou that hast my name, Son of my own heart ! Six months now since came Voice of thee to claim Life of flickering flame In the lamp thou art. Lamp of God new-Ht, Burning clear and small, Like a tiny bit Of heaven — the joy of it Heaven's own joy would fit. : God through Love is all ! Little heart that lay Beating close to mine, When the storms of day. Rolling far away, Left thee there to stay In the still starshine. 42 STARLIGHT SONGS When the mists of pain Floated from the world, Clear were heart and brain, Seeing all my gain, Rosebud pure from stain. In my arm upcurled. Flower of gardens fair Eye has never seen ; Thou to be my care, Nestling softly there. Angels could not share. Nor God come between. Only women know, Out of bitter stress. Out of helpless woe. All the warmth, the glow, All the blood's glad flow, All the tenderness. Tiny nut-brown head ! Tiny dreaming eyes ! Face on kisses fed. Wavering arms outspread. Love, with no speech said, Unto Love replies. TO C. R. F. T. 43 With thy growth Love grows As the months go on ; And thy spirit knows Refuge from its woes, Finding safe repose, On my heart alone. Softest, gentlest thing ! With a head of down. Cheek like silken wing Of a bird of spring, Even too small to sing, Fluffed with feathers brown. Yet, if life should last. Grows the babe to youth ; Youth is overpast, Manhood comes at last, Striving to hold fast All its pride of truth. And thy way may lead, Even so far, my own — Then, no help in need : Fate has once decreed, Men, in word and deed, Stand or fall alone. 44 STARLIGHT SONGS Other hearts may beat At the sight of thee, But thou wilt not meet Her whose kiss would greet Tiny, rose-leaf feet Curled upon her knee ! Times and times again Changing Love will veer ; But my joy and pain, Fixed in thee remain. And I still would fain Keep my baby here. Years shall bear thee far From these arms of mine ; Death shall set a bar Where our pathways are — Thou with Fame for star, I with Sleep for shrine. "Mother" call me yet In thy heart that day ; Though my sun be set, Though mine eyes forget Love's divine regret, " Mother " only, say. TO C. R. F. T. 45 God be with my son ! Till the morn wax day, Till the day be done, And the night begun Calls the weary one From his toil away. And should my long night Call me ere I know, Let the words I write Speak as farewells might, Arming thee for fight, Kissing back thy woe. If thou gain'st a wreath Past the dreaming of, Shall I hear who saith " This was of thy breath," — Lying underneath ? — Love beholds not death. Seeing only Love. VII THE PASSION FLOWER My sisters, I am weary ! the feet of Time are slow, In starless paths and dreary, in dawnless ways of woe. The long, long night of weeping, that counts my tears as pearls, Forgets the glad god sleeping with flowers on golden curls ; Forgets the day departed, our hope, desire, and crown. That left us not faint-hearted what time the sun went down. The night-watch of our sorrow the stars of God should share ; On us should gleam the morrow, more glad than Hope ' or Prayer ! But Night, oh ! sister flowers ; Night lives, and Day sleeps sound. Grey dust of rapturous hours lies thick upon the ground ; 46 THE PASSION FLOWER 47 Blossoms that spread and scatter, pale leaves kissed white by Death, Though day should come, what matter! it gives not back their breath ! The dead day lies in ashes, a burnt-out fire of Life ; The distant lightning >flashes, but not for Hope or Strife ; For us the cold rain falling, still falling through the dark, No voice through shadows calling, no star's hope- kindling spark. But heavy Night that crushes, but deadly Night that kills ! The moan of wind-blown rushes, the rush of rain- swelled rills ; Pale faces upward staring through grasses drenched and dank. What hand once poured unsparing the purple wine they drank ? The wine that flowed at daybreak, the cup o'erturned at eve. Broken as clods of clay break — who gave? who shall receive ? Shall any voice have pity, shall any hear at last ? — Within a cold grey city He binds Hope hard and fast. Alas, my sister-flowers, bow down your heads to earth — These perfumed lives of ours, born with the morning's birth, 48 STARLIGHT SONGS Our purple robes of passion, our crowns of living joy, The hand so great to fashion is greater to destroy : The green leaves weep around me, the rain falls on my breast, The shadow of Death hath found me : I too go with the rest. My sister-spirits flutter as leaves upon a stream ; Who hears the words they utter, who sees their transient gleam ? They pass by lonely rivers, they weep by cold dim seas, Gates where the lost soul shivers are fanned by wings of these. They are blossoms born of summer, yet beings of Earth's breath. Not man, the latest comer — but old as Love or Death ! The first lips softly meeting, the first fierce swift heart- beat, In these their life was beating, a bitter life and sweet. They die, but are immortal; they go, but come again ; From portal unto portal they gather joy and pain. Dim shores of dreams behold them, pale plumaged as a dove, Out of the dusk enfold them white wings of Death or Love ; THE PASSION FLOWER 49 Though Heaven receive them never, though God make Night of Day, Through years and years for ever they sought, and seek the way ; Souls upon souls kept under, pale spirits purple-crowned, They smite the seas in sunder, they search the whole world round, Yet find not Love unchanging, nor Life that drives out Death, But bright wings briefly ranging, a red moth's hour of breath. Sleep, goal of all things human, for flower and beast and bird, For love of man and woman, for might of deed and word ! Sleep, Night, and Silence only, and sound of falling rain. No waking to feel lonely, no dreams that day makes vain ; Though heart on heart reposes, or heart from heart lies far, What care, once sunset closes the door morn sets ajar! What matter what our choice is, since only Death's the right ! Nay, answer ! flower-soft voices, out of the mists of night ; Is there, oh sister flowers, one gleam of dawn above ? Alas, but long dark hours, and falling tears of Love ! so STARLIGHT SONGS He cares hot for your clinging, is soothed not by your song, And fainter grows your singing — The Night, the Night is long ! With drenched wet tresses trailing, with purple garments torn. You look, with eyes now failing, for dim grey streaks of morn; But hours that have no number run through the glass of Night— A heavier spell than slumber, a stronger sense than sight, Comes down on these dim valleys and makes my waiting vain : I seal my heart's fair chalice up, its rapture and its pain. VIII THE OFFERING What of all gifts shall I give Unto the heart of my love ? Stars from the ether above ? Clouds that the storm-spirits weave ? Should I their loveliness prove Worthy for her to receive, Is there a gift I can give Unto the heart of my love ! Down in the depths of the deep, Low in the caves of the sea, There could my soul wander free. Treasures to gather and heap, Pearls purely lovely as she. Precious as tears she might weep. Should I their loveliness prove Worthy for her to receive, Is there a gift I can give Unto the heart of my love ! 52 STARLIGHT SONGS Gems from deep earth brought to light, Gay with all glorious hues, Not such as these would she choose — Ah, what would gladden her sight ? Hark, while my vexed soul pursues, Warbles the minstrel of night ; " Dost thou Love's loveliness prove Worthy for her to receive, Love is the gift thou canst give Unto the heart of thy love ! " IX THE ROSE On my beloved's heart at morn A rose lay, dew-empearled ; She said, and blushed the flower to scorn, " Thy love is worth the world : Ah, yes, Thy love is worth the world ! " Upon her weary heart at eve The dead rose-leaves were furled ; She said, " Yet did not hope deceive : Thy love was worth the world ; Through all, Thy love was worth the world." X THE ROSE AND THE STAR To a rose of the summer weather Sang a star of the summer night, " Oh come, let us shine together In the gloom of this lonely height ; Oh rise with thy hues resplendent To him thou dost love ^o well. For all lights in the heavens pendant Shall my sweet star-rose excel ! " But the rose in the valley's hollow Cried up through the night, " Oh, star ! I cannot arise and follow, For the w&.y is weary and far ; Oh leap from thy place thus lonely In measureless space above, And fly for one moment only To the heart of thine earthly love ! " 54 THE ROSE AND THE STAR 55 So she cried in this mournful fashion Through the hush of the dark cool air, Arid the star, grown pale with passion, Sprang down at her plaintive prayer ; And he flashed, as a meteor flashes. To her arms with a great glad shout. But the rose was turned to ashes. And the flame of the star burnt out. XI THE TEMPLE OF FAME Oh, Wisdom ! high throned in far silence, where stars are the steps of thy throne, What crown wilt thou weave him a while hence, my lord, and my god, and my own ? What wreath of thy gardens preparing, in regions un- kissed of the sun ? What immortelles too cold for man's wearing, that heroes have worshipped and won ? Wilt thou write in the fires of the spheres his name when I breathe it no more. And his eyes cease from gladness and tears, and his soul from the search of thy lore ? When the earth lies like lead on our hearts, when our earth, when our mother, again Bids us heed not what season departs, what summers may waxen and wane ; When we grow as the clay of the fields, as the stones of the desolate hill, And above us the flashing of shields, the power, and the might, and the will — 56 THE TEMPLE OF FAME 57 Brave deeds and true love, all the story of men as we share in it now ! — Then the world shall shout forth to his glory, the nations before him shall bow ! Oh, Wisdom ! though lips that are living breathe passion- ate words in his ear. While fresh is the praise of thy giving, they are silenced since many a year ; Though they speak, bending low at thine altar, of one who sought truth to the end, Whose steps would not weary, nor falter, nor cease ever- more to ascend. Who lightened the darkness of things, revealing the workings of God, And climbed to the source of His springs, the heights of His mountains untrod, Shall the love of his life be forgot, the hours unbidden of fame. When knowledge and science were not, and the strength of the heart overcame. When under the stars of the south . he spoke with a daughter of men. And sweet were the words of his mouth, and fair were the ferns of the glen ; — I have loved thee ; go forth-— be immortal ; shall we sleep the less sound for their praise. S8 STARLIGHT SONGS When outside the dark hush of our portal they crown the cold marble with bays ! Ah, better is Now than Hereafter, is Love than the wisdom of years. And sweeter the season of laughter, of kisses paid freely for tears. Than a name in men's mouths who shall follow and point where the faint footsteps are. Till they vanish where echo the hollow dull thunders of ocean afar ! — O Wisdom, high throned in far silence, though stars be the steps of thy throne. Fair crowns thou mayest weave him a while hence : to-day I have crowned him my own. XII A SONG OF A GARDEN I PLANTED a rose ; let the tender leaves close, Soul-thrilled at a kiss, when the honey bees settle. Be it red as the dawn is, or pale as the snows, Till the deep perfumed cup of its heart overflows To the music that out of the summer night grows ; — But the rose of my planting has turned to a nettle ! I planted a lily — ^how slowly and stilly The soul of the flower should grow in the gloom, When winds over Spring's tender greenness blow chilly, In the noontide of stars, one star-flower should fill the Dim garden with glory. Alas ! for my lily ! The cold scarlet poppies grew up in its room ! The purple-crowned flower, Love's passionate dower, I planted one day with a vow in my heart ; And I dreamed it should climb as a serpent in power, Till its blossoms should crown me, its leaves be my bower, A holy pavilion in sunshine and shower — There rose but a thorn that pierced deep as a dart ! 59 6o STARLIGHT SONGS And I looked on the fruit, and my heart was the root , Of the harvest of anguish that mocked me at last ; When spring-time and sowing are far from pursuit, When the fields have grown gold, and the nightingales mute. Shall we plant in that day, till the green tendrils shoot? Alas ! but the day of our planting is past ! But the flowers of my dreams I shall find by the streams Of the great sunless world whither swiftly I go ; I shall gather the pale-petalled harvest that seems As twilight to noontide, as stars to sunbeams ; I shall know if an ocean of weeping redeems One hour of living — too late I shall know ! XIII A SONG OF LOVE AND DEATH To my heart's door an angel came : " Dost thou not know me, child ? " he said. As sound of music was his name, A halo shone about his head ; With stars his robe was fashioned, And wrought with lightning and with flame ; His face was paler than the dead. My life was glad through words he said. The hour he came, the hour he came ! To my heart's door an angel came : " I wait to take thee hence," he said ; And, lo ! his eyes were fierce like flame, A kingly crown was on his head, And in his hand a sword blood-red. As sound of weeping was his name. And he was shrouded like the dead ; My life waxed dim through words he said. The hour he came, the hour he came ! 6i XIV REMEMBRANCE Who sings of summer-time, When Earth, grey-veiled in frost. Is like a soul that's lost. Or love some hand has tossed Away before its prime ? If, in her shroud of ice. She sleeps, and dreams of when Flowers, like the lives of men, ' Grew up in field and glen, With breath of spice — If her pale dream recalls The rose's heart of flame. The sweet rose-soul that came. Answering her loveliest name. Through June's dew-falls — 68 REMEMBRANCE 63 If she remember these, Shall we, whose June day's wove. With murmurs of the dove, And stars and roses, love, ■^-Recall no ecstasies ! Oh, sleepy cypress grove. Dreaming beneath thy trees, We will remember these !. XV A MELODY What song for thee my dreams can weave ? What words would teach thee to beUeve, How, changeless under changing skies, My heart within thy keeping lies, Striving to hold from mom to eve. The hour that still remorseless flies. The hours that fly, the love that stands. And gathers flowers with eager hands, Till shadows lengthen on the grass. And the hills grow a dusky mass. And moaning o'er the summer lands, The eternal, last "Adieu" must pass. But from thy side I will not stray, Through all the green and golden day, Short may it be or long, and yet Shall find us, as when first we met, The eventide that melts away In darkness where no suns are set. 64 XVI A REQUIEM Lost, lost, for ever lost ! Dead, dead, for ever dead ! Weary and tempest-tossed. Here rest thine head ; Here on this rocky bed. Life, hope, and love are fled — All, all for ever lost, All, all is dead 1 Sweet, sweet. Love's lips to thee — Deep, deep, his eyes; Deep as the shoreless sea. Deep, as the skies — He shall no more arise, Steeping thy soul in sighs ; Lost, lost, his Ups to thee ; Closed, closed, his eyes ! 6s XVII "SI yEUNESSE SAVAIT" Oh that the song of Love were ever new ! Oh that his plumy wings were clipped from ranging, That the sweet rose might bloom with morning dew, Through all the noontide heat, the long hours' changing. Oh that the eyes that love us might not see The shadow of the years upon us falUng ; How small a terror even Death would be, If from some sheltering hold we heard him calling. What if Love leave us as the long years wane, And all the smiles that wooed him once are faded ! Ah, not one day of joy returns again : Their grave is some dim dreamland, cypress-shaded. Drink deep of summer while the roses stay. And nightingales sing sweet among the roses, So shall remembrance waft thy soul away. When the long year in bleak December closes. £6 XVIII TO A BABY Glad eyes of blue 1 What holds the world before you as its prize ? What promise, false or true, Shall sorrow darken you. Or shall you shine with triumph, radiant eyes ? Oh little head ! What crown' shall deck your waves of sunny brown ? Green laurels, roses red. Or white flowers for the dead ? Or all these make, oh little head, your crown ! Sweet mouth and small ! Have you received the gift of gracious speech ? That all things base may fall, All spirits hear your call ; Oh little mouth, what great truth shall you teach ? 67 68 STARLIGHT SONGS Oh little hands ! What gifts has Fate to fill your tiny clutch ? What mission waiting stands, What work in many lands For these to do ? Ah me, so much, so much. Oh twinkling feet ! What paths of pilgrimage for you are set ? Where roses blossom sweet, Or thorns your steps defeat, — Dear little feet, my hands enclose you yet ! Oh little heart, So fond, so glad, so innocent of guile ! Will all your grace depart In life's tumultuous mart ? Nay, for such gifts all life's too brief a wh^le. Oh little heart ! XIX AT A LIFE'S END Out through the gate of birth Came the star-eyed soul of a child ; And life and the joy of Earth Was sweet to him, and he smiled. Hope met him first on his way, And nursed him on her knee. " How long and bright was the day, How wide the sparkling sea ! " His eyes gave back her smile ; He nestled to her breast ; " Oh, the glad hours, the long, long while, And her heart his haven of rest ! " Toil tore him far from the breast of Hope ; Love gave him tears for bread j And the gates of the Temple of Fame set ope Gleamed mocking over his head. 69 7o STARLIGHT SONGS He gave his heart for a stone, His name for a crown of brass, And at even time he lay alone On a waste of seeding grass. He thought of hope, long lost ; Of joy, long danced away ; Of red rose blossoms of Eden, tossed In the dust of his heedless way. And, as he thought, the tears Rose up in his arid eyes ; He had planted out in the years, And the fruit of his life was lies. There came a form to his side ; A hand stole into his own ; Out of the whole world wide There spoke one voice alone. '" Lie, weary head, on my breast. More soft than the white-plumed doVe Oh, heart, that hast found no rest. Find rest on the heart of Love ! " AT A LIFE'S END 71 Night fell on them like a veil, And the shoreless starry sea Rolled on till the dawn gleamed pale As a soul out of night set free. But these from their place were gone, And whither no man knows : One faded rose lay white and wan. On the place of that last repose. XX THROUGH HOPE TO SLEEP Hope, in the birth and the forthcoming Out of the void, Out of the sleep-spell cold and numbing, Into the noise of life-wheels humming. Wheels of life in the waste up-buoyed ; Out of the dusk of a dreamland dreary. The eyes undimmed and the feet unweary, In through the gates by the Fates set ope, Gates of Birth on the shores of Sorrow, Pain to welcome us, fear to borrow. Yet is our name for the nameless morrow Hope! Love in the day of Life's fulfilling Crowned with delight, Hours when the wheels their clamour stilling Wait for the voice of music thrilling Souls of stars in the starry night ; 72 THROUGH HOPE TO SLEEP 73 Love, all giving and all forgiving, Out of the weaiy ways of living. Finding rest in the sacred grove. Garden of God on the skirts of Earth, The pain of Death and the travail of Birth, Are worth thee ! What hadst thou not been worth, Love ! Sleep, far from dreams, that rocks the tired Soul, at the last ; Sleep, not as Hope, with smiles attired. Not crowned as Love, the long desired, For these sleep too with the worn-out Past, The budding branch and the full fruition Are shades too dim for our recognition, Since eyes grown heavy cannot weep, Tears grow too weary for our shedding, Fate in the dusk a couch is spreading. And tired Life for ever wedding Sleep. XXI AN ANTHEM OF MORTALITY From the rose-leaf that is shed, From the forest, leafless, dead, From extinguished worlds o'erhead. Hark, the cry is still the same — Life create, the vital flame All a fair creation filling, Rising, with deep passion thrilling. Rising, opening like a flower, Life, joy, rapture — for an hour ! Ending in a slow decay. All its glories pass away, From their bright summit hurled to be Thy victims, fell MortaUty ! Ah, God, and shall we nothing save ? Each prayer a requiem, every heart a grave ! Worlds on worlds grown cold and colder ! Stars that mock the sad beholder ! Was there warmth and life in .you. Life that never shall renew, 74 AN ANTHEM OF MORTALITY 75 In your cold rocks and silent seas ? Ah me, that all things end like these ! Oh, rose that blushest so, I take Thee to my heart : there may it break, Pressed to thy thorns. Sweet, let us die Ere. darkens round us earth and sky ! Who knows if there is One who grieves O'er my lost hopes, thy falling leaves. Oh, rose of roses, joy of joys ; Oh, voice heard clear above the noise, The deafening noise of Earth, thou chief Of all things beautiful and brief; Art thou too fainter ? Oh, sweet flower, Offspring of summer's golden hour, Fad'st thou ? — ^Ah, let the winds that shake Thy petals from their shelter, take My life with these, and let them lie Scattered upon me as I die. Sweet rose, more sweet in every thorn. O'er thee and me the woods shall mourn, The wet winds sigh,, the wan stars weep, The stream lament beside us : Sleep Upon my heart, sweet rose, nor sever Thyself from me till both must end for ever. XXII SONNET Pygmalion's dream Zeus ! I thank thee for the gift of her, My fairest thought, the better part of me, Whose face is, rosier than the dawn-red sea, And in whose eyes life's new-born raptures stir ; She counts not years by human calendar ; But Love, who made and chained her, set her free From the cold marble's voiceless mastery : So came the maiden soul — sweet wanderer ! And where the white stone glistened in the sun Carved round her brow, her sun of golden hair Makes morning lovely ; and the sightless stare Becomes blue depths where magic currents run ; But best of all, my love, my only one, To clasp thee to my heart and hold thee there ! 76 XXIII SONNET THE FULFILMENT Zeus ! take back the soul, the life, the blood, And give me back my changeless masterpiece ; For when Time's flight bids Love's enchantments cease, What hath life left of beautiful or good ? When she, my perfect dream, before me stood, And blessed me for life's gift and Love's release, I saw not then the statue's deathless peace Lost in the fading bloom of womanhood. The smooth unwrinkled marble of her breast Had looked as lovely to my gaze to-day ; No furrows from her brow to smooth away, No worn-out eyes to make love seem a jest. Alas ! 'twas mine own ruin I caressed, And my fame fades with tresses that grow grey ! 77 XXIV SONNET Rose, of the dewy cluster that he sent, The loveliest and the last, whose crushed perfume Of crimson petals, in my twilight room, Kindles a sweetness unto sorrow blent ; For when the dew was fresh on thee I bent Mine eyes with dew of tears above thy bloom. Last messenger across the desolate gloom. What time my life was darkened, and he went. But, oh ! my rose, close pressed twixt page and page Of this heart-treasured book — oh ! shall it be That some day, looking on its leaves with me. He who first sent shall see thee, sorrow's gage, And smile for new strange joy, whose pilgrimage Shall pass where roses bloom unceasingly. XXV SONNET When lays the soul the body's garment by, And ventures forth to meet the great Perhaps, Whether he rest his head on ho-uris' laps, Or through pale grasses watch a dream-pale sky. Or kneel before the Seraph's ceaseless cry Beside the Tree of Life no canker saps, Where Godhead's triune mystery enwraps The heart of all things made, the mighty Why. What matter, lives unlived and worlds untrod, After this Earth, where we would yet remain. Wringing a little pleasure out of pain ; This is the end, beneath the grass-grown sod ; And for each spirit in the Courts of God, A dead, cold heart lies silent in the rain. XXVI LIFE His journey begins through the world — ah me, What a long, long way to go ! Over mountain and desert away to the sea, Through springtide blooms to the snow. And youth with its gladness, and beauty's crow; Come forth as the years go by, And the blossoms pale of the flower Renown Unfold 'neath the summer sky. But the landscape changes, the light grows dim The sea is a deep dark grave — Oh, let one star be a sign to him Of a day-dawn over the wave ! XXVII FAILURE I CANNOT set my weary feet Upon the slopes that looked so near, But ever more and more retreat While the leaves glide from green to sere, Through Time's swift beat. The day shall never come to me Upon the mountain top to stand. And watch the blije, incurving sea Embrace the wild, pine-wooded land : — It cannot be. Once dreamed I that unto my view All lovely lands should lie outspread ; Who reach the top are very few, And ashes of the nameless dead The track bestrew. 8i r 82 STARLIGHT SONGS Oh, pilgrim, if that summit high You reach, forget not that I strove ; When life, its end attained, must die, Forget not then the dream I wove Of that pure sky. Though your eyes see what mine forego, The wondrous world beneath your feet. From your cold throne of dawn-red snow, Where ways of man with God's ways meet, That no men know. Yet think, far down the mountain slope, My feet have slipped, my heart grown cold ; I shared your path in youth and hope ; Alone you watch God's worlds unrolled, Their gates set ope. XXVIII IN THE GARDEN OF THE SHADOW Shall this be the end of their glory and passion ? Oh, Sea, with thy million of voices declare If these children of earth are but formed in the fashion Of flowers, for one day made radiant and fair. Did they live in the ages long past, or hereafter Shall they come to exist as the world circles on, j;\nd youth has its season of playtime and laughter, And age fades away in thd mists, and is gone ? , Shall they dwell among men with no dream of past meeting. Their souls in new forms that the ages bring forth ? From a long sleep of darkness tumultuously greeting Our world, new and fair from the South to the North ? Shall they stretch forth glad hands to each other, exclaiming, " Oh, welcome to Love, long unknown and now met ! " And dream all things else but base metal, and framing This jewel of love in their worthlessness set ? B3 84 STARLIGHT SONGS And then shall they crown their fair heads,with the roses, A million times bloomed, and a million times dead. Since to-day, when so swiftly their pilgrimage closes And on their white faces the sunrise glows red ! Or in sleep that is dreamless and pulseless for ever, Shall they lie under earth till with earth they are one, And Science and Art and all mighty endeavour Call loudly above them as centuries run ? But dust among dust they are scattered and shaken. As rose petals trampled by hurrying feet — Who pities the rose-leaves all brown and forsaken, Or sees through their ashes that once they were sweet ? The passionless mountains are strong and abiding. But fierce-beating hearts have one hour — no more ! As they leave the dim threshold of birth, they are gliding Where Death's muffled form guards the terrible door ; And Love, the chief good, the chief joy of our living. Stretches hands out to stay them who may not be stayed. Ah ! surely the gods need from us most forgiving. Who bring to such anguish the creatures they made ! Ah, surely they heed not ! and Death, the Immortal, Leads Love a frail captive and binds him with chains, 'J'ill his face waxes white in the shade of the portal, And his servants go hence, and he only remains. XXIX RONDEL Long ago, as one awake from sleeping Sees a dream recalled pale memories dimly show, Strange thy love and dim, and looks through shadows creeping — Long ago. All is grey with clouds — I cannot see nor know ; Yet may sheltering wings o'erspread us in safe keeping ! On the cloud's dark rim there burns a golden glow. They that sow in tears shall come to joyous reaping. When glad voices, mingling, murmur low, " Far away it seems, that weary time of weeping; — Long ago ! " XXX RONDEL Yesterday ! ah me, what vain recalling, When the first rose opened out in May, And the nightingales brought songs enthralling- Yesterday ! Summer flowers adorn no wintry way ; Snows upon their barren grave are falling ; Brief as love and gladness was their stay ; And the voice of exiled Love is calling. Over frozen deserts cold and grey, " Death had been the kindest fate befalling — Yesterday." ss XXXI RONDEL But To-morrow comes, for which attending Still I wait ; oh ! Time needs not to borrow ; Soon To-day and Yesterday are blending — , But To-morrow ! Weeping, we have sown the weary furrow ; Shall the harvest moon, through Summer's night ascending. Shine on garnered sheaves, the' waiting weeks gone through ? Sheaves with golden fruit to earth that bore them bending. Songs of harvest joy from throats that ached with sorrow — Not To-day, on heart or hope depending — But To-morrow ! 87 XXXII RONDEL Still, Good night, although no voice replying Comes through blackness of the starless height, Over leagues of dark seas rocked in sighing — Still, Good night ! Sleep, beloved, in peace till morning light, Hear in dreams my heart that unto thine is crying ; See mine eyes that weep for exile from thy sight ; May God keep thee till the lone days flying Pass, and, by an ocean infinite, Meet we in the land of Love undying — Still, Good night ! XXXIII SERENADE Oh my heart, oh my heart ! Let us live before we part In a garden of Love's planting, In a kingdom of his granting, — Where the unfathomed purple night Draws up rapture out of sight Till it clasps the infinite Soul of Love from whence thou art, Oh my heart, oh my heart ! Oh my love, oh my love ! Shadows on the terrace move. Shadows of the world foregone, Of the faith we lean not on. Of long years lived through in vain, — But they pass, and we remain Dreaming that the stars shall wane Ere one colder kiss we prove, Oh my love, oh my love ! 89 90 STARLIGHT SONGS Oh my heart, oh my heart ! Pluck the rose and dare the smart Of the thorns around it set — Disillusion and regret ! — Men have found them bitter, — No ! As two streams unite, and flow, One broad river sea-wards — so From this hour our lives shall start. Oh my heart, oh my heart. Oh my love, oh my love ! Thou hast glories dreamed not of Set in eyes that I look through As the sun looks on the dew In the rose's cup of fire, — Oh my heart's, my soul's desire, In thy gold hair's rich attire ! Life, and all the joy thereof, Oh my love, oh my love ! Oh my heart, oh my heart ! — Stars may fail, and downward dart Burning out to utter death. So may passion's fiery breath Leave our warm hearts cold and blind, Leave our arms no more entwined. Bid the long spell cease to bind — Not together — nor apart. Oh my heart, oh my heart ! SERENADE 91 Oh my love, oh my love ! Thou whose lightest whisper drove All things from my heart but thee, Lost me in a soundless sea ! — If this hour of joy must pass To the silence under grass — Drain the wine and break the glass ! Sleep, while yet the charm be wove. Oh my love, oh my love. XXXIV HYMN Oh Thou most far from joy or sorrow, From hope or fear ! Lord of the Night-time and the Morrow, Far things and near. Oh Thou unseen of us, nor ever Known good or ill, Though thy hand plant and thy sword sever Life's fruit at will, — We know Thee not for God or Devil, For friend or foe, We only know the seed is evil. The fruit is woe. We gave Thee worship in green places From sea to sea. And downward looked with patient faces For sign of Thee, 92 HYMN 93 We said, " Thou art the wide sea's thunder, The still shore's rest, And the cold sleep that draws us under Is but Thy breast ! "— Our life-blood flowed, the white world staining Beneath Thy feet, Still on, through waxing years and waning, Through cold and heat, We sought Thee, God to help us. Mortal To share our throes, But now, before, Thy thrice-barred portal. Who knows ! who knows ! The cold, deep Earth, where sleep unwaking Awaits all heads, Is more than Thou, for unforsaking Her arm outspreads. She gathers to her breast the falling. The withered leaves ; The lives whose bloom is past recalling, - She knows and grieves. She takes the songless birds, the tired Strained hearts that break. The loves unwept and undesired. The years' long ache, — All grief she gathers and assuages In dreamless sleep ; 94 STARLIGHT SONGS Her night is made of circling ages, Her bed is deep. They hear no bitter sentence spoken Her babes at rest, The wounded spirits Thou hast broken Faint on her breast. Oh Earth ! oh fruitful, holy Mother, Star-eyed and still ! In Heaven nor Hell there is no other To save or kill. Hell is too deep, too high Heaven's portal, Too far God's throne. And kisses of Love's lips immortal As dreams are flown. All dies, all fades, all swiftly passes. Even Faith's firm hand, Brief as the life of meadow-grasses Our days are spanned. Alas for Love that may not linger ! For dreams undone ! For broken lute and silent singer Beneath the sun. Alas for blind faith meekly kneeling In restful prayer ! — For our disease is Life — our healing, Oh Earth !— lies there. XXXV SUNSET-LAND Into Sunset-land Through a red-gold mist, You and I will float, Learning, hand in hand, All the tune we missed. Perfect, note to note. In the Sunset-land. In a living fire. In a golden sea, You and I will glide. Seeing, side by, side. Our attained desire As a god set free Passing on flame-fanned Into Sunset-land. All the weary shore, All the bitter tide. Lose themselves at last Where the light runs fast 95 96 STARLIGHT SONGS Wider and more wide, Burning evermore, Loosening band on band, Spreads the Sunset-land. Cold as lonely rocks Frozen hearts draw nigh To that shore's embrace, Love the gate unlocks Where rose-gardens lie, Siin-roses round the space Where his shrine doth stand In the Sunset-land. In the rapturous light Roses gold and red, Roses red and gold. Sweet as dreams of old. Crown Love's drooping head. Heal his failing sight, — — We shall understand In the Sunset-land. XXXVI SONNE T GOOD-NIGHT Farewell, good-night ! the terraced garden lies All white beneath the moon, in sighing sleep, — The sea looms as a shadow, but the skies Draw near us, heart to heart, and deep to deep. Till weeping Love clings close to stars that weep. And all the purple Night, dissolved in sighs. Lays her immortal hand on weary eyes, — — Oh Night beloved ! one memory for us keep ! Oh rapturous Austral night of stars and scent ! My life is but a passing dream of thine Who countest not the fires of stars outspent Adages circle round thy deathless shrine, — Yet dear as dearest love and nearest sight. Thy voice speaks low to me : " Farewell, good-night." Sydney, 1894. XXXVII ENVOI Oh, Love, for evermore in blessing blest, Star of all stars ! shine on us through the years ! In weary wandering ways be thou our rest ; When gloom enshrouds us, der the mountain crest Arise, and lead us through the vale of tears. 98 Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson & Co. Edinburgh and London