The Fairy Changeling and Other Poems Part 10

Said, "G.o.d had quickened my flesh, bestowing Joys without measure, Made for its pleasure, An Eden's garden for ever glowing.

Gave me to Man, his care and protection To gain and to give, And bid us so live In united bonds of help and affection.

"Man wrecked our garden, so we were hurled Out from the skies Of Paradise Into the sorrows of a weeping world.

He forgets my care, I, as G.o.d has said, Give still affection For that connection Which into all our bodies life has breathed.

"And why are you abusing G.o.d, and praising With mock effacement And false abas.e.m.e.nt Your own heart's kindness, deeming it amazing That you should do this duty for my sake, Which is His bidding, Nor blame for ridding Himself of me, your neighbour, he who spake hard words, Hard words and drove me forth all sore and ill?"

Thus while I tended This dog I friended Gave back my faith in Heaven by G.o.d's will.

"I PRAYED SO EAGERLY"

I prayed so eagerly, "Turn and see How bitter I have striven- A word and all forgiven."

I prayed so eagerly.

I prayed so eagerly- Not to be, You turned and pa.s.sed. Good-bye!

Fates smile for me, dreamed I- Yet I prayed eagerly.

"WHEN THE DARK COMES"

When the dark comes, "Is this the end?" I pray, No answer from the night, And then once more the day.

I take the world again Upon my neck and go Pace with the serious hours.

Since fate will have it so, Begone dead man, unclasp Your hands from round my heart, I and my burden pa.s.s, You and your peace depart.

DISTANT VOICES

I left my home for travelling; Because I heard the strange birds sing In foreign skies, and felt their wing

Brush past my soul impatiently; I saw the bloom on flower and tree That only grows beyond the sea.

Methought the distant voices spake More wisdom than near tongues can make; I followed-lest my heart should break.

And what is past is past and done.

I dreamt, and here the dream begun: I saw a salmon in the sun

Leap from the river to the sh.o.r.e- Ah! strange mishap, so wounded sore, To his sweet stream to turn no more.

A bird from 'neath his mother's breast, Spread his weak wings in vain request; Never again to reach his nest.

I saw a blossom bloom too soon Upon a summer's afternoon; 'Twill breathe no more beneath the moon.

I woke, warmed 'neath a foreign sky Where locust blossoms bud and die, Strange birds called to me flas.h.i.+ng by.

And dusky faces pa.s.sed and woke The echoes with the words they spoke- -The same old tales as other folk.

A truce to roaming! Never more I'll leave the home I loved of yore.

But strangers meet me at the door.

I left my home still travelling, For yet I hear the strange birds sing, And foreign flowers rare perfumes bring.

I hear a distant voice, more wise Than others are 'neath foreign skies.

I'll find-perhaps in paradise.

THE BALLAD OF THE FAIRY THORN-TREE

This is an evil night to go, my sister, To the fairy-tree across the fairy rath, Will you not wait till Hallow Eve is over?

For many are the dangers in your path!

I may not wait till Hallow Eve is over, I shall be there before the night is fled, For, brother, I am weary for my lover, And I must see him once, alive or dead.

I've prayed to heaven, but it would not listen, I'll call thrice in the devil's name to-night, Be it a live man that shall come to hear me, Or but a corpse, all clad in snowy white.

She had drawn on her silken hose and garter, Her crimson petticoat was kilted high, She trod her way amid the bog and brambles, Until the fairy-tree she stood near-by.

When first she cried the devil's name so loudly She listened, but she heard no sound at all; When twice she cried, she thought from out the darkness She heard the echo of a light footfall.

When last she cried her voice came in a whisper, She trembled in her loneliness and fright; Before her stood a shrouded, mighty figure, In sombre garments blacker than the night.

"And if you be my own true love," she questioned, "I fear you! Speak you quickly unto me."

"_O_, _I am not your own true love_," it answered, "_He drifts without a grave upon the sea_."

"If he be dead, then gladly will I follow Down the black stairs of death into the grave."

"_Your lover calls you for a place to rest him_ _From the eternal tossing of the wave_."

"I'll make my love a bed both wide and hollow, A grave wherein we both may ever sleep."

"_What give you for his body fair and slender_, _To draw it from the dangers of the deep_?"

"I'll give you both my silver comb and earrings, I'll give you all my little treasure store."

"_I will but take what living thing comes forward_, _The first to meet you_,_ pa.s.sing to your door_."