A CHAIN TO WEAR. I. 3WAY! away! The dream was vain; Still wear, as best you may, the chain II. What you had given your life away Before you found what most life misses ? Forsworn the bridal dream, you say, Of that ideal love, whose kisses Are vain as this is ! III. Well, I have left upon your mouth The seal I know must burn there yet; My claim is set upon your youth; My sign upon your soul is set ;— Dare you forget? IV. And you'll haunt, I know, where music plays, Yet find a pain in music's tone; You'll blush, of course, when others praise That beauty scarcely now your own. What's done, is done! V. For me, you say, the world is wide- ROBERT, LORD LYTTON. 6 B APLESS doom of woman happy in betrothing! in loathing: Low, my lute; speak low, my lute, but say the world is nothing Low, lute, low ! Love will hover round the flowers when they first awaken ; Love will fly the fallen leaf, and not be overtaken; Low, my lute! Oh, low my lute! we fade and are forsaken Low, dear lute, low! ALFRED TENNYSON. BEFORE PARTING. MONTH or twain to live on honeycomb Is pleasant; but one tires of scented time, And that strong purple under juice and foam Where the wine's heart has burst; Nor feel the latter kisses like the first. Once yet, this poor one time, I will not pray The bitter taste ensuing on the sweet, To make your tears fall where your soft hair lay, And yet who knows what end the scythèd wheat As none has care of a divided love. I know each shadow of your lips by rote, Each change of love in eyelids and eyebrows, With tender blood, and colour of your throat; Love's likeness there endures upon all these, Day hath not strength, nor the night shade enough Feels at filled lips the heavy honey swell. I know not how this last month leaves your hair Is mixed with meaner shadow and waste care: ALGERNON CHARLES SWINBURNE. |