tM IpS 3517 R5 L8 11914 I Copy 1 .if <^A , r.^ ?• LYRICS OF A LAD ^:^SS Class __ii:^Ml7- Book Ffg'^^ GoipghtN^ 1^13 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. LYRICS OF A LAD Copyright 1914 By F. Scharmel Iris Chicago Translation rights reserved OEC -8 Jbf4 ©Cl,A;^91i01 To that patron of arts and lover of Italy Mrs. Harold F. McCormick Author's Note The courteous acknowledgments of the author are extended to The Century Magazine, The Little Review, Atlantic Monthly, Scribner's Magazine, The Forum, Poetry and the Cosmopolitan, of America; The Cork Examiner, Freeman's Journal and Dublin Review, of Ireland ; and The English Review and Blackwood's, of England. The frontispiece is a reproduction of a Eugene R, Hutchin- son photograph. The title page decoration is by Michele Greco. «;T will interest the public to know that Federico Scharmel Iris was born February tenth, eighteen-eighty-nine, at Florence, Italy. He is the first of the Italians in America to write po- etry in English. Richard Le Galliennfi, Will- iam Dean Howells and the late Francis Thompson were a few of the many to express appreciation. He asks that the work shall stand solely on its merits. His poems first won him favor with John Ruskin, the critic, and Swinburne, the poet, — two men of mark of our age. Through these two gen- iuses, I discovered that the new poet was an Italian graft on an Illinois, — peach tree is perhaps the best word, — though I have never seen peach trees in Chicago, — and I then read his poems with renewed interest. I did not find them Illinoisian ; but I did find in his poems the color and the freshness, the inexpressible glowing, almost lucent tints of the peach blossom, the warm lure of Spring and of love and of hope. The healthful cold of the winter, with all its frost pangs, gave beauty to the roseate blossoms, as the busy life of the poet has helped to make the delicate bloom of his Spring delightful. Life has taught him, that the gift of song is a solace, and he says that speechless hearts must be sadder than his own. [VII] In this little garden of a young poet the lilacs bloom, the daflFodils cover the green with their gold, the blue flower de luce nods in the Spring wind, and all is beauty and simplicity, and at night the lute of the morning is changed for the 'cello; the tones of the singer are deeper and more sonorous, and the moon comes up, and his moods follow her with the tide. His book is, then, — under the sun or moon, the garden of a young poet, who forgets the brevity of his life and the reality of his griefs in the joy of the art he cultivates. You are invited to step into his garden. Maurice Francis Egan, American Minister to Denmark. Copenhagen. [VIII] PRESAGE 13 trio of spring songs 15 the heart-cry of the celtic maid 17 transition 18 the witch 19 canzonetta 20 vita nuova 21 weird of doom 22 redwinged blackbird 24 the ugly woman 25 a-burgeoning 26 canzona amorosa 27 the forest of the sky 28 lady of the titian hair 29 Mary's quest 30 SAPPHO's LAST SONG 31 SUNRISE IN JULY 33 HAD I THY LOVE 34 THE FRIAR OF GENOA 36 THE MAD WOMAN 38 IN ITALY 39 HER WAITING 40 TWILIGHT LULLABY 41 ADORATION 42 LA TARANTELLA 43 BALLAD OF LOVE-DENIED 44 CASKET OF INNOCENCE 46 VISION OF TWO LOVERS 47 BIRTH OF THE DAFFODIL 49 WERE YOU BUT MINE 50 FOREBODING 52 LYRIC OF A LOVER 54 THE LEOPARD 55 FANTASY OF DUSK AND DAWN 56 A FISHERMAN SPEAKS 57 REVELATION 58 HEROES 59 HER ROOM 60 dante in ravenna 61 beata beatrix 62 the golden witch 63 three apples 65 Miniature Lyrics APRIL 69 scarlet-white 69 LYRIC 70 late JANUARY 70 ITERATION 71 SONG FOR A ROSE 71 THE FLOWER SKY 72 WHY DO YOU WEEP ? 72 NOTTURNO 73 INTERPRETATION 73 THE LITTLE BIRDS 74 A HEART THROB 74 EVENING 75 EARLY NIGHTFALL 75 A NAMELESS PRAYER 76 THE VISIONARY 76 LAMENT 77 AFTER THE MARTYRDOM 77 LYRICS OF A LAD PRESAGE HUSH thee, rest thee, little son Upon my quiet breast ! My rose-red blood runs fast and warm, O sacred seedling blest! It thrills the very soul of me To hear thy heart beat joyously. The marvel of thy magic hand (Like rose-leaf held in mine) ; Two tiny feet that press my side — Thrill in my veins like wine; Did Mary ever feel more bliss Than I, when my sweet babe I kiss? Through solemn vigils of the night When all the earth holds breath — I feel the life I gave thee move And yet I muse on Death. Ah, me! what fears a mother knows Before the dawn of morning glows! [13] LYRICS OF A LAD Lie closer, closer, little son Against my throbbing heart! What is there in the moaning wind To make the salt tears start ? A dreadful voice calls hauntingly With sorrow fraught and mystery. [14] LYRICS OF A LAD TRIO OF SPRING SONGS I — AT MORNING The eastern sky is all ablaze With gold and rose; The stream holds fair the azure air; The south wind blows. Hark! o'er the road the thrush glad sings; The wood is green; The violet with dew is wet 'Mid sylvan sheen. The dawn is glad with melody As Spring is born; On rosy wings the daylight sings Good morn! good morn! II — INVITATION O, let us go a-gypsying, my Love, Through calm, green woods where softly cooes the dove. And I will wreathe the flowers of the way To crown you queen ! I'll sing to you all day. Come, Love, away! Come, while the groves are fresh aglow with dew. And while the sun of gold shines 'mid the blue. And low with love, yet loud with joy complete. We'll sing clear strains of gladness. Blithe your feet, My Love, my Sweet! [15] LYRICS OF A LAD Let's leave behind our sorrows and our cares ; Beside the brook her breast the lily bares: The wind invites and pleads with us to play. Adown and o'er the countryside to-day Come, Love, away! Ill INVOCATION I wonder why the rose is red, my Love, And why the violet is blue. The rose is red in jealousy of you; The violet but imitates your eyes And sighs, and sighs. My Love, O my Love ! I wonder why the lily's white with grace, And why the daffodil is gold. The lily's chalice keeps your dreams in hold; The daffodil, in envy of your hair. Is fair, is fair. My Love, O my Love ! [16] LYRICS OF A LAD THE HEART-CRY OF THE CELTIC MAID There were blackbirds in the hedges and sunshine in the sky, Red lilies in the sedges where blue rivulets ran by; The spring's gay flowers and children — Oh, how jubilant they were Veiled was the wall of heaven by blithe singing-birds astir! What use the heart-red roses, or the azure of the sky? They were fair in Love's reposes; my love shall never die! A shadow filled your eyes, my dear, I died to you, and yet Whenever fall the autumn leaves I dream and can't forget. Forget you, O, forget you? — why, I cannot even die! The sun has lost its radiance, the lustre's left my eye. My heart is tired of longing, and my soul weeps o'er its pain ; I turn to east, I turn to west, and see you not again. The south wind you have taken and my heart have taken, too ; The sunshine and the gladness and the songs I held most true. At dawn, at noon, at dusk, Love, I walk the dewy sod; My fear is great, my fear is great, you've taken e'en my God. What use the heart-red roses, or the azure of the sky? They were sweet in Love's sweet closes; would Love that I might die! My heart is tired of longing, and my soul weeps o'er its pain ; I turn to east, I turn to west, and see you not again. 17] LYRICS OF A LAD TRANSITION Lapis-lazuli is the sea, A golden chariot, rides the Dawn, The morning twilight rests upon The apple-blossoms' witchery. The Sun his argosy of clouds Sails in the sky; the silver rain Falls o'er the landscape of the plain, The trees become as sombre shrouds. The shower ends; and glowing, bright. The rosy colors merge from gray; The paling orange edge of day Recedes from Evening's sword of light; The hill, a bed is for the Sun, The stars rise from a silver swoon. To dance at rising of the Moon — The day was a chameleon. 18] LYRICS OF A LAD THE WITCH My mistress Mildred, fair and good, Is one of that weird sisterhood That ride at midnight on the air, And brew strange potions hov'ring where Are witches' caldrons in the wood. I saw her kneel by Michael's side Within the church, — he of my pride. (The lover whom in spring she wed — That night she rose and left his bed. At dawn returned a faithless bride.) Nine trees grow round the mystic well Wherein she bathed to work a spell; Round Michael's wrist I found a hair That Lilith gave her for a snare, Lilith who is the queen of hell. My prayers to heaven ascend like myrrh. To break the evil spell of her. Unto the good saint Anne I prayed: She passes in her silks arrayed. She who is kin to Lucifer. [19] LYRICS OF A LAD CANZONETTA 1 cannot see the roses, Though once I loved their hh)oni, 'TwoiiUl he too much of agony I'o breathe their sweet perfume; 'Twould be too much of agony To breathe their sweet perfume. She passed when passed the roses, My red rose of God's art ; And for her vanished loveliness Alone I break my heart; And for her vanished loveliness Alone I break my heart. I buried her in roses, My queen-rose of the June, On the pine's harp a spirit played A melancholy rune; On the pine's harp a spirit played A melancholy rune. So show me not the roses, I must not see their bloom; 'Twould be too much of agony To breathe their sweet perfume; 'Twould be too much of agony To breathe their sweet perfume. [20] LYRICS OF A LAD VITA NUOVA The oranRC moon moves placidly Across the purple eminence; The thrush spills golden radiance From boughs of dusk. Through waves I see A nude nymph's phosphorescent sheen (Two rosebuds pierce a breast of snow) ; From blue-bronze twilight passing slow Queen Juno's peacocks lord the green. My face and limbs grow ivory- wan While angry winds the leaves affright; I worship as a neophyte The mystic pageantry of night. Lo! at the threshold of the dawn My soul to newer life is drawn. [21] LYRICS OF A LAD WEIRD OF DOOM Of wine I've no need, dear, For wine is accursed; At the wells of your eyes, dear, I slaken my thirst. The rubies of sunset. The gold of the morn, The lovely moon's silver. The rose without thorn, The starred veil of twilight, I lay at your feet; O, tread not upon it, My heart's in it. Sweet. In gath'ring the hoar frost I trembled all night — A maiden inhuman Has turned my face white. I saw a strange maiden. Who moved on a cloud, I heard the swan's death-song, Love, weave me a shroud! O take, ere I leave you My little wee dove; [221 LYRICS OF A LAD 'Twill woo you to dreaming Of me, and my love. Oh, vex not the silence, As, quiet I lay. But pray for my soul, Love, At dawning of day. [23] LYRICS OF A LAD REDWINGED BLACKBIRD Fire-bearer of the gods! — blue-black — With flecks of sunshine on thy back! Thou herald Mercury, with flame Upon thy shoulders! Dost proclaim In sweat and pangs the pregnant Night Brings forth the wondrous infant, Light? Art cardinal in song's high state? Monk clad in garbadine elate? Hilado from Ovedio Or purple-vested nuncio? Fromoff thy wings thou shakest free The sunset's scarlet blazonry. Nay, none of these thou art, I own, But an arpeggio shaken down From Song's thick symphony of boughs. Where all Night's lidded odors drouse; A feathered arrow flaming, bright. Shot past the startled glooms of night. When sunbeams dance in Dawn's ballet Thou breakest through the blue of day; A shaft of throbbing crimson flame. Flown from God's Hand to earth ye came; Darting bewildered woodlands through, Unquenched by morning's pools of dew. [24] LYRICS OF A LAD THE UGLY WOMAN O ugly woman, jewel-hung, You are a wanton, drunk with wine; Black scandal sputters from your tongue, Your flesh, fit food for swine ; O ugly woman, jewel-hung. You are no friend of mine. Woman inciting poignard's thrust, Think not, I am your youthful prey; You are the body-house of lust, A blot on God's bright day. Woman inciting poignard's thrust. Turn, turn those eyes away. O jeweled parrot, garrulous, You are no blossom of the spring; Your touch is slimy, venomous, As any unclean thing; O jeweled parrot, garrulous, Cease, cease, your passioning. [25] LYRICS OF A LAD A-BURGEONING. At dawn of day Pearl-pale narcissi say, "Fair was a youth one far-off May;" A maiden hears, whose head of gold Like a Greek marigold, Is aureoled ; Oh life begun, The guerdon great is one Under no earthly moon or sun ! List'ning, bewildered, to the wail Of one sad nightingale, Grows passion-pale. She is at rest Beside her lover's breast, A grave enfolds them, as a nest; Two hyacinths their bells shall ring In lilac eves of spring A-burgeoning. [261 LYRICS OF A LAD CANZONA AMOROSA The rose assumes a redder hue, The bee hums softer all day through, The linnet pipes, "O, Love be true!" Whene'er I think of you, beloved, Whene'er I think of you ! The cloudlets ride, a fairy crew. The sun is fairer to the \'\tw The sky is robed in clearer blue, Whene'er I think of you, beloved, Whene'er I think of you ! The flov^^eret the soft w^ind blew. Droops low its head with cooler dew. The gray old world is changed to new Whene'er I think of you, beloved, Whene'er I think of you ! The rose assumes a redder hue, The bee hums softer all day through, The Hnet pipes, "O, Love be true!" Whene'er I think of you, beloved. Whene'er I think of you ! [27] LYRICS OF A LAD THE FOREST OF THE SKY High in the forest of the sky The stars and branches interlace; As cloth-of-gold tlic fallen leaves lie Where twilight-peacocks lord the place, Spendthrifts of pride and grace. The grapes on vines are rubies red, They burn as flame, when day is done; The Dusk, brown Princess, turns her head While sunset-panthers past her run To caverns of the Sun, She throws out reins of sunbeams wrought, About the sunset-panthers fleet, And rides them joyously, when caught. Across the poppied fields of wheat — Their hearts with terror beat. They reach the caverns of the Sun, The raven-clouds above them fly; Dame Night her tapestry's begun. High, o'er the forest of the sky The moon, a boat, sails by. — [281 LYRICS OF A LAD LADY OF THE TITIAN HAIR O Lady of the Titian hair, The rowan lips, the beryl eyes! Oh, that I were the brooklet, where Thy mirrored vision lies, beloved, Thy mirrored vision lies! O haunting sylph of mystery, I sing thee of the risen sun ; Of all the lovely things that be, Thou art the fairest one, beloved. Thou art the fairest one. beauteous Lady that thou art, Am I but worthy thy disdain ? 1 break my heart upon thy heart, And break it all in vain, beloved, And break it all in vain. [29] } LYRICS OF A LAD ! 1 MARY'S QUEST i And have you seen my little Son ' A-passing by to-day ? A butterfly with golden wings Has lured Him far away. Oh you would know Him by His eyes, s Twin pools of twilight sweet ; ] Oh you would know Him by His smile, 1 And by His little feet. | And if you find Him, give Him drink, And give Him of your bread, And mother Him upon your breast, And stroke His weary head; And, should a thorn have bruised His hand, I beg you, wash the stain ; And oh, pray lead Him to my hearth, And to my arms again. For I would place Him in my bed. And close His tender eyes. And lay my heart anear His heart. And dream of Paradise. [30] LYRICS OF A LAD SAPPHO'S LAST SONG The rose-gold dawn the mount of amethyst Enfolds, and lo! a cloud, day's harbinger, Issues in joy from Heaven's gate. Oh, list! Hear'st thou soft rainbow songs and the vague stir Of myriad wings of dawn-awakened birds? Sweet the green silence of the plain divine Reflected in the eyes of waiting herds. Soon, like a boy the sun will laugh and shine; Sweet is earth's beauty — sweet to me to-day; I feel a thrill that ne'er before I've felt; The breeze my glowing brow cools in its play. And soothes in alms the wounds the Fates have dealt. Upon a flowery brink alone I stand ; The murm'ring sea responds to my despair; Why was it when, in passion, o'er the land. Nature to me was dead? Ah, me! how fair All things appear when from new eyes we gaze — New eyes made clear by tears of bitter salt! And so the poet sings of joy supreme While in his heart bleak sorrow makes assault; He stands without the crowd, praising the scheme Of the high dawn — he stands and sings and dies; So o'er my heart a iialmy peace now strays And blows the ashes from my passion's sighs. [31] LYRICS OF A LAD Now the gods' eyes search through my soul's deep woe; Shaken in twih'ght purple-gray I see The rosy and the orange apples glow Like mellow lamps amid the leaves of green. While merry warblers 'mid glad leaves entwine Entrancing notes of golden melody, Deep through the woodland crystal brooks on-flow Like maids exulting in the sylvan sheen ; Rest, peace and quiet reign throughout the wood; Shall peace and quiet evermore be mine? Soft o'er my head Death draws his downy hood ; The trees are dumb; Love, do I hear thee sigh? The darkness falls. I die, Beloved, I die! [32] LYRICS OF A LAD SUNRISE IN JULY The sunrise comes with flame in deep July : A herald star rides through the daybreak sky; On field and hill, and down the steep ravine, A note is heard, the color soft cool-green. The azure east is warming into rose. The sun his face majestically shows; Glad are the songs of morning; downward far 'Mid dawn's white tents I see the loit'ring star. In ecstasy my soul drains melodies; Morn bears no shadows for the wayside trees; No more the meadow-brooklet holds the moon Deep-cradled in a broken, rippled tune. Behold, the sky is now afire, full-tide, Resembling the warm blushes of a bride; A redthroat pipes his flame-touched note at will And all the glad earth feels the moment's thrill. [ZZ] LYRICS OF A LAD HAD I THY LOVE Had I thy love I'd make a necklace of the stars for thee And golden blazonry of harmony And color-rhythm and tone would haunt my lays Like rippling brooks singing through summer days; The low-voiced wind a captive I would make And let it labor for thy dear, sweet sake ; I'd steal the cooing of the tender dove That I might murmur sweeter of my love, Had I thy love! Had I thy love With fairest flowers, — purple, gold and red — I'd wreathe a diadem to crown thy head; I'd spread a carpet for thy fairy feet Wrought of life's radiant fancies joy-complete; Truth, love and beauty would but be a part Of aught I'd offer; then I'd give my heart. I'd gather the fresh gladness of the morn To weave a prayer of thanks that thou wert born Had I thy love! Had I thy love I'd tend a garden of enchanted flowers Where birds should sing thy name throughout the hours; I'd weave a robe of morn and sunset hue Embroidered bright in blossom-scented dew; [34] LYRICS OF A LAD A twilight pool should prison thy glad eyes And dream that they had mirrored Paradise. When Night should wing its dawn from out the West I'd lay thy head 'mid dreams upon my breast, Had I thy love! 35 I. rubles or a lad I 111'; KkiAK OF (;|';n()A In (icnoa a friar walked; ()l rv'iy sacred tale lie talked; Aloru' lie dwelt, in |)iavei lie knell; "Ave Maria, Ave Maria!" I'roin dawt) till dusk lie saii^. His hrtiised aiitl blistered feel were hare; 1 1 is head hiiriied in the sunlight's ^larr. ( )m stones he slept, and worked and wept, "Ave Maria, Ave Maria!" In every blow or pan^. Out of his dole he ilothed the poor, And every hardship ilid enduie; He blessed the incck and mused the weak "Ave Maria, Ave Maria!" With eaeh smreedinj; day. And be|.'(M'd for alms for those in need, A kind woid spoke with <-veiv deed, With smiicis dmed and led the himd - "Ave Maria, Ave Maria!" I Intil he passed away. Ami is his uctik done? Ah, surprise! ( )ut of iIk" tomb uheie low he lies A peilume blows, as ol a rose: [36] LY R res OF A LAD "Ave Maria, Ave Maria!" It sings in shade atid sun, AtuI Ik- who hrcalhcs it, him if feeds, And stirs liis heart to nohh* deeds; And one has said, "He is not dead- "Ave Maria, Ave Maria! Flis hfe lias just hej^un !" 37 LYRICS OF A LAD THE MAD WOMAN Oh blame me not that his lips were red, Or that my eyes on his eyes went blind. A leaf am I in a ruthless wind, I'll dig me a grave and rest me, — dead. Wolf-winds, a pack, I dragged by the back And loosened them at his door; Asp of despair Crawl into his lair And eat his heart to the core! For the baby he gave to me, The moon fell into the sea; The white leopards of foam Said, "Carry it home;" So I put it into a sack. And carried it home on my back. I lit the lantern of the Sun, And stole the blue cloth of the sky, A cover for my little one. I made his crib. Is that his cry? Let me run, let me run, My eyes grow sad for my son. Spear of the world's scorn in my side. The grave is deep where a maid may bide. Ever and ever satisfied. [38] LYRICS OF A LAD IN ITALY In Italy, in Italy, The oranges hang on the tree. As lanterns bright, aglow with light, They shine for lovers through the night. In Italy, in Italy, Oh, life is one long Arcady! The moon grows pale; the nightingale Stirs every heart, with wail on wail. In Italy, in Italy, The rose exhales an ecstasy; Each humble heart acts well its part, And welcomes thee, whoe'er thou art. In Italy, in Italy, The sky steps down to meet the sea, The redbird swings, with flame he sings. And shakes the sunset from his wings — In Italy, in Italy, Oh, life is one long Arcady! [39] LYRICS OF A LAD HER WAITING Mournful the twilights, Solemn the evenings. Lagging the hours pass, When one awaits one That is beloved; Night, bring him hither! Long will he clasp me In his strong arms. Ah, Birds sing his praises, Stars light his pathway, Winds waft him closer — Closer and closer ! My heart adores him, My lips desire him, Flame thrills my pulses; Faster my heart beats; How shall I meet him, I, who am woman? Long, long, I've waited. Though tired, yet happy, Had I his warm kiss. His fond embraces, I'd die enraptured Knowing he loved me. [40] LYRICS OF A LAD TWILIGHT LULLABY Toddle off to Dreamland, sleepy Curlyhead, While the Slumber Spirits glide around your bed, Wandering with Fancy o'er the pools to flowers Through a land more lovely, more wonderful than ours. There the skies are brighter; there the days are gold; There there is no sorrow ; none are sad nor old ; There the birds make music through the morns of blue, Singing joyful praises — singing just for you! Streams of crystal silver run beside your feet. Charming blooms and fairies; lambkins play and bleat; Happy chimes are ringing, sweet melodious sound, And white-pink laughter ripples; songs of joy abound. Journey off to Dreamland — thither, babe, away! Winter soon will shatter the happiness of May. While the Slumber Spirits lead you to your bed, Toddle off to Dreamland, little Curlyhead! [41] LYRICS OF A LAD ADORATION Come, O my Love, while Sunset drops unknowing. Her shawl and poppies on the stair of evening ; The golden stars asleep, in silver cradles, The Moon awakens. An unseen bird sings broken-hearted, silvering The dreaming woodland. Pan his flute is playing, A wood-nymph thrills and dances with her lover, Like two bacchantes. Lean on my heart, let us adore this beauty; The stars glow on the veils of night triumphant, And Echo lies a-dream in groves of silence. The reeds are stirring. Aurora in her chariot rides, exultant In sudden glory from the marge of Heaven. The coloring sky is streaked with arrowy silver And blush of roses. [42] LYRICS OF A LAD LA TARANTELLA Italian Folk Dance Come dance the tarantella, Let's dance it merrily! Our feet shall tread the rhythm, Our hearts, beat glad and free; Come dance the tarantella And swing the tambourine, What joy, what pain, what rapture, O little dark-eyed queen! Come dance the tarantella La bella tarantella The merry tarantella My sweet Italian queen. Come dance the tarantella, My slender sprig of joy! The music's happy cadence Thrills us, fond girl and boy; Come dance the tarantella. My castanets clink, gay; The love our hearts are holding Our lips refuse to say. Come dance the tarantella La bella tarantella The merry tarantella Love, be my own to-day! [43] LYRICS OF A LAD BALLAD OF LOVE-DENIED I saw the maiden, Love-Denied, Beside the ocean of the years; The heart that beat against her breast Ached — 'twas the hive of fears — I saw the maiden, Love-Denied, I knew her by her tears. She found a nest of memories Whose birds flew, circling, song-content; Along her strands of loosened hair Her slender arms were bent ; Behind her. Twilight closed the door On sleep's imprisonment. She rocked the cradle in her heart. Wherein her unborn infant lay, She rocked it gently, through the night. And through the stifling day, And ever of a lover dreamed — As only women may. I saw Death with his iron feet The life from her breast harshly stamp ; The lover finds her on her couch. Her hair is chill and damp, — And lo, at heaven's blue windowed house, God sets the moon for lamp. [44] LYRICS OF A LAD He cries his sorrow to the wind That enters through the blinds. In pain He falls across the Lx)ve-Denied, The unbesmirched of stain, A stroke of lightning strikes his heart, And breaks the heart in twain. And in this world, like Love-Denied, Are many broken hearts. Ah me. They do not know the lover's kiss, Nor love's deep ecstasy. Each soul that lives must grieve within Its own Gethsemane. [45] LYRICS OF A LAD CASKET OF INNOCENCE Darling boy with dream-filled eyes, Do you dream of Paradise? Little cherub! you are one, With the semblance of the sun. Sweet, your golden curls of seven, Little blossom strayed from Heaven! Darling boy, your eyes dream-filled, Are twin pools by music-thrilled; Like a snowflake, you are pure. Innocence, your vestiture; Than a diamond, you are brighter! Near you, lilies blossom whiter! Darling boy with joy endowed. Have you fallen from a cloud? Mary's page celestial. Come to realms terrestrial? Little sunbeam on the river. Bear my praise to God, the Giver. [46] LYRICS OF A LAD VISION OF TWO LOVERS "Infinity of sky and sea, Bring my Beloved to me! Winds, winds, invade The damask gloom of shade, Where we once laid. "Ah, since that night When to her window, she came forth as light, Have I been Beauty's acolyte. The odorous jasamine Confesses she is mine, And, finding her most fair. The sunbeams sought her hair, And rested there. "Sing, sing, O birds of Spring! Pour forth song's silver on the mating bough; That I may meet her now Death, Death, kiss, kiss my brow!" Lo, from its mould of clay His spirit soared away. Her waist engirdled was With lil'es generous, [471 LYRICS OF A LAD Her brow was star-endowed, She floated on a cloud Of daffodil and rose and amethyst; Of vapor was her mantled robe of mist. With kiss, her lover, where the moon kept gate, I saw her consecrate. Above God's blue, starred canopy of sky, With answering sigh for sigh. The lovers sat, until the Dawn rode by. [48] LYRICS OF A LAD BIRTH OF THE DAFFODIL The sun went down behind the hill Enwrapped in azure haze, And took with him against their will His little golden rays, But one, that wandered far a-field, Was left behind alone; Entangled in the waving grass Its glittering beauty shone. Out from the wood of melody Two streams of song swift ran, The peace-birds piped their minstrelsy, The stars watched over Pan; And when the rosy dawn awoke Close to a jocund rill, Lo, waving in the green spring grass There bloomed a daffodil. [49] LYRICS OF A LAD WERE YOU BUT MINE Were you but mine The moon as halo you should wear, The stars of midniji;ht for your hair, I'd thread Dawn's pearls upon a string, The sun's red rubies for your ring; With sunset-poppies on your head. The air, as earth, your feet should tread. Your eyes should thrill my veins like wine, The world I'd give you at a sign Were you but mine! Were you but mine In cloud and rainbow-hued brocade Your lithe-limbed form shovdd be arrayed, About your torso's lovely space A sash of moonbeams I should place; Upon your curved lips' wistfulness A mouth impassioned I should press, Before your beauty — exquisite, A lamp of worship should be lit. Were you but nunc! Were you but mine Purged of all stain and base desire. My soul to your height shovdd aspire; Ah, nevermore your eyes should weep; [50] LYRICS OF A LAD I'd kiss and clasp you in your sleep. The Hand of God the bow should sway, The 'cello of the Nij^ht should play Sonorous, sad and tremulous, 'Twould stir the very depths of us Were you but mine! [51 LYRICS OF A LAD FOREBODING Unclose, Night's purple-petalled rose! Reveal the stars that form thy golden heart, O mystic rose, the flowering of God's art; Guard thou the infant slumbering in repose, Across its breast its sleep-numbed fingers close; And thus they lie, until On Heaven's blue window sill God sets the lark, a-singing, A-singing, singing, flinging Song's living azure; 'tis his lay Enchants and ushers in the Day, And wakes the angel. Light, Whose sword unsheathed, slays the dragon, Night. Woe, when the candle of her day Hath burned itself away! In maidenhood her hands will fold In their last hold. While wintry clouds, their cloaks of woe Will spread before the sun. And God alone — Oh, God alone — will know The grief of one! Her cold and rigid hands Will be as iron-bands Around her lover's heart; O thou, whoe'er thou art, Who yet wilt live. [52] LYRICS OF A LAD O'er thee will winter, through the sky's gray sieve, Sift down his charity of snow ; But she, she will not care nor know, She will not care nor know. [53] LYNICS or A LAD LVKIC OK A I>()VI;K Hcc.iiisc I /mkI iIiv I'lircks iiwist fair, N(t roses