Who stood with downcast eyes, and feigned distress, To meet that angry voice and aspect joined. SARDONYX. (The Song of Orpheus.) THEN, on a Sardonyx, the man of Thrace, AMETHYST. (The Crowning of Silenus.) NEXT came an Amethyst,—the grape in hue. Yet but a King of Sleep he seemed at best, BERYL. (The Sirens.) LASTLY, with" Pleasure" was a Beryl graven, 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, Ah! hapless Love! THE SICK MAN AND THE BIRDS SPRING 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 The little bud grown ripe; 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 With song, and wing that lifteth me,- Striving amain to reach the sky, "Wake! wake! EGROTUS. My hope hath lost its wing. Thou, that to Night dost call, How hast thou heart to sing Thy tears made musical? |