WHE LOVE'S QUEST (FOR A MURAL PAINTING) HENAS the watches of the night had grown To that deep loneliness where dreams begin, I saw how Love, with visage worn and thin,With wings close-bound, went through a town alone. Death-pale he showed, and inly seemed to moan With sore desire some dolorous place to win; Sharp brambles passed had streaked his dazzling skin,—— His bright feet eke were gashed with many a stone. And, as he went, I, sad for piteousness, Might see how men from door and gate would move To stay his steps; or womankind would press, And bid him enter in. But Love not less, Mournful, kept on his way. Ah! hapless Love. THE SICK MAN AND THE BIRDS SPRI ÆGROTUS. PRING,-art thou come, O Spring! How hast thou heart to sing, O Spring, with all thy birds? MERULA. I sing for joy to see again And look, my love upon the bough! ÆGROTUS. Ah! weary is the sun: Love is an idle thing; But, Bird, thou restless one, HIRUNDO. By shore and sea I come and go But voices bid me rise once more, ÆGROTUS. This is Earth's bitter cup :- ALAUDA. A secret Spirit gifteth me ÆGROTUS. My hope hath lost its wing. Thou, that to Night dost call, How hast thou heart to sing Thy tears made musical? PHILOMELA. Alas for me! a dry desire To me, dim shapes of ancient crime Moan through the windy ways of time, "Wail! wail!" ÆGROTUS. This is the sick man's song,— A FLOWER SONG OF ANGIOLA OWN where the garden grows, DOWN Gay as a banner, Spake to her mate the Rose After this manner :— All reds and whites are ours, Then to the flowers I spake, "Watch ye my Lady Gone to the leafy brake, Silent and shady; When I am near to her, Lily, she knows ; Look to it, Rose." Straightway the Blue-bell stooped, Paler for pride, Down where the Violet drooped, Shy, at her side :- |