The Home Book of Verse Volume Ii Part 35

THE SECRET LOVE

You and I have found the secret way, None can bar our love or say us nay: All the world may stare and never know You and I are twined together so.

You and I for all his vaunted width Know the giant s.p.a.ce is but a myth; Over miles and miles of pure deceit You and I have found our lips can meet.

You and I have laughed the leagues apart In the soft delight of heart to heart.

If there's a gulf to meet or limit set, You and I have never found it yet.

You and I have trod the backward way To the happy heart of yesterday, To the love we felt in ages past.

You and I have found it still to last.

You and I have found the joy had birth In the angel childhood of the earth, Hid within the heart of man and maid.

You and I of Time are not afraid.

You and I can mock his fabled wing, For a kiss is an immortal thing.

And the throb wherein those old lips met Is a living music in us yet.

A. E. (George William Russell) [1867-1935]

THE FLOWER OF BEAUTY

Sweet in her green dell the flower of beauty slumbers, Lulled by the faint breezes sighing through her hair; Sleeps she, and hears not the melancholy numbers Breathed to my sad lute amid the lonely air?

Down from the high cliffs the rivulet is teeming To wind round the willow-banks that lure him from above: Oh that, in tears from my rocky prison streaming, I too could glide to the bower of my love!

Ah, where the woodbines with sleepy arms have wound her, Opes she her eyelids at the dream of my lay, Listening like the dove, while the fountains echo round her, To her lost mate's call in the forest far away?

Come, then, my bird! for the peace thou ever bearest, Still Heaven's messenger of comfort be to me; Come! this fond bosom, my faithfulest, my fairest, Bleeds with its death-wound,--but deeper yet for thee.

George Darley [1795-1846]

MY SHARE OF THE WORLD

I am jealous: I am true: Sick at heart for love of you, O my share of the world!

I am cold, O, cold as stone To all men save you alone.

Seven times slower creeps the day When your face is far away, O my share of the world!

Seven times darker falls the night.

When you gladden not my sight.

Measureless my joy and pride Would you choose me for your bride, O my share of the world!

For your face is my delight, Morn and even, noon and night.

To the dance and to the wake Still I go but for your sake, O my share of the world!

Just to see your face awhile Meet your eyes and win your smile.

And the gay word on my lip Never lets my secret slip To my share of the world!

Light my feet trip over the green-- But my heart cries in the keen!

My poor mother sighs anew When my looks go after you, O my share of the world!

And my father's brow grows black When you smile and turn your back.

I would part with wealth and ease, I would go beyond the seas, For my share of the world!

I would leave my hearth and home If he only whispered "Come!"

Houseless under sun and dew, I would beg my bread with you, O my share of the world!

Houseless in the snow and storm, Your heart's love would keep me warm.

I would pray and I would crave To be with you in the grave, O my share of the world!

I would go through fire and flood, I would give up all but G.o.d For my share of the world!

Alice Furlong [1875-

SONG

A lake and a fairy boat To sail in the moonlight clear,-- And merrily we would float From the dragons that watch us here!

Thy gown should be snow-white silk, And strings of orient pearls, Like gossamers dipped in milk, Should twine with thy raven curls.

Red rubies should deck thy hands, And diamonds be thy dower-- But fairies have broke their wands, And wis.h.i.+ng has lost its power!

Thomas Hood [1799-1845]

"SMILE AND NEVER HEED ME"

Though, when other maids stand by, I may deign thee no reply, Turn not then away, and sigh,-- Smile, and never heed me!

If our love, indeed, be such As must thrill at every touch, Why should others learn as much?-- Smile, and never heed me!

Even if, with maiden pride, I should bid thee quit my side, Take this lesson for thy guide,-- Smile, and never heed me!

But when stars and twilight meet, And the dew is falling sweet, And thou hear'st my coming feet,-- Then--thou then--mayst heed me!

Charles Swain [1801-1874]