A Lover's Diary Part 10

TOO SOON AWAY

Have I then found thee but to lose thee, friend?

But touched thee ere thou vanished from my gaze?

And when my soul is struggling from the maze Of many conflicts, must our converse end?

Across the empty s.p.a.ce that now shall spread Between us, shall I never go to thee?

Or thou, beloved, never come to me, Save but to whisper prayers above the dead?

Ah, cruel thought! Shall not Hope's convoy bear To thee the reinforcements of my love?

Shall I not on thy white hand drop a tear

Of crowned joy, one day, where thou dost move In thy place regally; even as now I place my farewell token on thy brow?

THE TREASURE

And now when from the sh.o.r.e goes out the s.h.i.+p Wherein is set the treasure that I hold Closer than miser all his hidden gold, Dearer than wine Zeus carried to his lip;

My aching heart cries from its pent-up pain,-- "O Love, O Life, O more than life to me, How can I live without the surety Of thy sweet presence till we meet again!"

So like a wounded deer I came to thee, The arrow of mischance piercing my side; And through thy sorrow-healing ministry

I rose with strength, like giants in their pride.

But now--but now--how shall I stand alone, Knowing the light, the hope of me is gone?

DAHIN

O brow, so fronted with a stately calm, O full completeness of true womanhood, O counsel, pleader for all highest good, Thou hast upon my sorrow poured thy balm!

Poor soldier he who did not raise his sword, And, touching with his lips the hilt-cross, swear In war or peace the livery to wear Of one that blessed him with her queenly word.

Most base crusader, who at night and morn Crying Dahin, thought not of her again From whose sweet power was his knighthood born,

For whom he quells the valiant Saracen.

Shall I not, then, in the tumultuous place Of my life's warfare ever seek thy face?

LOVE'S USURY

Here count I over all the gentle deeds Which thou hast done; here summon I thy words, Sweeter to me than sweetest song of birds; That came like grace immortal to my needs.

Love's usury has reckoned such a sum Of my indebtedness, that I can make No lien large enough to overtake Its value--and before it I am dumb!

Yet, O my gracious, most kind creditor, I would not owe to thee one item less We cannot give the sun requital for

Its liberal light; our office is to bless.

If blessings could be compa.s.sed by my prayer, High heaven should set star-gems in thy hair.

THE DECREE

Last night I saw the warm white Southern moon Sail upward through a smoky amber sea; Orion stood in silver majesty Where the gold-girdled sun takes rest at noon.

I slept; I dreamed. Against a sunset sky I saw thee stand all garmented in white; With hand stretched to me, and there in thy sight I went to meet thee; but I heard thee cry:

"We stand apart as sun from s.h.i.+ning sun; Thou hast thy place; there rolleth far and near A sea between; until life's all be done

Thou canst not come, nor I go to thee, dear."

Methought I bowed my head to thy decree, And donned the mantle of my misery.

'TIS MORNING NOW

'Tis morning now, and dreams and fears are gone, And sleep has calmed the fever in my veins, And I am strong to drink the cup that drains The last drop through my lips, and make no moan.

Strength I have borrowed from the outward show Of spiritual puissance thou dost wear.

Shall I not thy high domination share Over the shock of feeling? Shall I grow

More fearful than the soldier, when between The smoke of hostile cannon lies his way; To carry far the colours of his queen,

While her bright eyes behold him in the fray?

Here do I smile between the warring hosts Of sad farewells; and reek not what it costs.