T IF. F he would come to-day, to-day, to-day, O little bird, flying, flying, flying, I have a sister, I have a brother, A faithful hound, a tame white dove; But I had another, once I had another, And I miss him, my love, my love! In this weary world it is so cold, so cold, I would not like to wait and to grow old, But just to be dead and gone. Make me fair when I lie dead on my bed, Fair where I am lying; Perhaps he may come and look upon me dead— He for whom I am dying. Dig my grave for two, with a stone to show it, And on the stone write my name; If he never comes, I shall never know it, But sleep on all the same. CHRISTINA ROSSETTI. A SMILE AND A SIGH. SMILE because the nights are short! And every morning brings such pleasure Of sweet love-making, harmless sport : Love that makes and finds its treasure, Love, treasure without measure. A sigh because the days are long! Long, long these days that pass in sighing, A burden saddens every song : While time lags which should be flying, CHRISTINA ROSSETTI. OF ever, dear, I might at last the barren victory gain, To think, since think I must of thee, Not otherwise than thou of me. Haply I might Thy chilling coldness, thy disdain, thy pride, Which draw me half reluctant to thy side, With a like meed requite, And I my too fond self despise, Seeing with disenchanted eyes. But now, alas, So fast a prisoner am I to thy love, No power there is that can my chains remove, So sweet the caged hours pass, That if it parted me from thee, . Nor would I dare To ask for recompense of love again, Who love thee for the height of thy disdain. If we should burn with equal fire, Full well I know That what I worship is not wholly thee, Such as at times doth grow On yearnings of the cloistered mind, Or the rapt vision of the blind. Scorn me then, sweet, I would not thou shouldst leave thy lofty place; Thy lover should not see thee face to face, But prostrate at thy feet. No recompense, no equal part I seek, Only that thou be strong and I be weak. LEWIS MORRIS. |