ToMarionCummingsStanleyContentsHelenofTroyBeatriceSapphoMariannaAlcoforandoGuenevereErinnaLoveSongsSongTheRoseandtheBeeTheSongMakerWildAstersWhenLoveGoesTheWayfarerThePrincessintheTowerWhenLoveWasBornTheShrineTheBlindLoveMeTheSongforColinFourWindsRoundelDewAMaiden\"ILoveYou\"
ButNottoMeHiddenLoveSnowSongYouthandthePilgrimTheWandererIWouldLiveinYourLoveMayRispettoLessthantheCloudtotheWindBuriedLoveSongPierrotAtNightSongLoveinAutumnTheKissNovemberASongofthePrincessTheWindAWinterNightTheMetropolitanTowerGramercyParkIntheMetropolitanMuseumConeyIslandUnionSquareCentralParkatDuskYoungLoveSonnetsandLyricsPrimaveraMiaSoul’sBirthLoveandDeathFortheAnniversaryofJohnKeats’DeathSilenceTheReturnFearAnadyomeneGalahadintheCastleoftheMaidensToanAeolianHarpToErinnaToCleisParisinSpringMadeirafromtheSeaCityVignettesBytheSeaOntheDeathofSwinburneTrioletsVoxCorporisABalladofTwoKnightsChristmasCarolTheFaeryForestAFantasyAMinuetofMozart’sTwilightThePrayerTwoSongsforaChildOntheTowerHelenofTroyandOtherPoemsHelenofTroyWildflightonflightagainstthefadingdawnTheflames’redwingssoarupwardduskily。
ThisisthefuneralpyreandTroyisdeadThatsparkledsothedayIsawitfirst,Anddarkenedslowlyafter。IamsheWholovesallbeauty——yetIwitherit。
Whyhavethehighgodsmademewreaktheirwrath——
ForeversincemymaidenhoodtosowSorrowandbloodaboutme?Lo,theykeepTheirbittercareabovemeevennow。
Itwasthegodswholedmetothislair,Thattho’theburningwindsshouldmakemeweak,Theyshouldnotsnatchthelifefromoutmylips。
Olympuslettheotherwomendie;
TheyshallbequietwhenthedayisdoneAndhavenocareto—morrow。YetformeThereisnorest。ThegodsarenotsokindTohermadehalfimmortallikethemselves。
ItistoyouIowethecruelgift,Leda,mymother,andtheSwan,mysire,Toyouthebeautyandtoyouthebale;
ForneverwomanbornofmanandmaidHadwroughtsuchhavocontheearthasI,OrtroubledheavenwithaseaofflameThatclimbedtotouchthesilentwhirlingstarsAndblottedouttheirbrightnesserethedawn。
HaveInotmadetheworldtoweepenough?
Givedeathtome。Yetlifeismorethandeath;
HowcouldIleavethesoundofsingingwinds,Thestrongsweetscentthatbreathesfromoffthesea,Orshutmyeyesforevertothespring?
Iwillnotgivethegravemyhandstohold,Myshininghairtolightoblivion。
Havethosewhowanderthroughthewaysofdeath,ThestillwanfieldsElysian,anyloveTolifttheirbreastswithlonging,anylipsTothirstagainstthequiverofakiss?
Lo,IshalllivetoconquerGreeceagain,Tomakethepeoplelove,whohatemenow。
Mydreamsareover,IhaveceasedtocryAgainstthefatethatmademenlovemymouthAndlefttheirspiritsalltoodeaftohearThelittlesongsthatechoedthroughmysoul。
Ihavenoangernow。Thedreamsaredone;
YetsincetheGreeksandTrojanswouldnotseeAughtbutmybody’sfairness,tilltheend,Inalltheislandssetinalltheseas,Andallthelandsthatliebeneaththesun,Tilllightturndarkness,andtilltimeshallsleep,Men’slivesshallwastewithlongingafterme,ForIshallbethesumoftheirdesire,Thewholeofbeauty,neverseenagain。
Andtheyshallstretchtheirarmsandstarting,wakeWith\"Helen!\"ontheirlips,andintheireyesThevisionofme。AlwaysIshallbeLimnedonthedarknesslikeashaftoflightThatglimmersandisgone。TheyshallbeholdEachonehisdreamthatfashionsmeanew;——
WithhairlikelakesthatglintbeneaththestarsDarkassweetmidnight,orwithhairaglowLikeburnishedgoldthatstillretainsthefire。
Yea,IshallhauntuntiltheduskoftimeTheheavyeyelidsfilledwithfleetingdreams。
Iwaitforonewhocomeswithswordtoslay——
ThekingIwrongedwhosearchesformenow;
Andyetheshallnotslayme。IshallstandWithliftedheadandlookwithinhiseyes,Baringmybreasttohimandtothesun。
HeshallnothavethepowertostainwithbloodThatwhiteness——forthethirstyswordshallfallAndheshallcryandcatchmeinhisarms,BearingmebacktoSpartaonhisbreast。
Lo,IshalllivetoconquerGreeceagain!
BeatriceSendoutthesingers——lettheroombestill;
Theyhavenoteasedmypainnorbroughtmesleep。
Closeoutthesun,forIwouldhaveitdarkThatImayfeelhowblackthegravewillbe。
Thesunissetting,forthelightisred,Andyouareoutlinedinagoldenfire,LikeUrsulauponanaltar—screen。
Come,leavethelightandsitbesidemybed,ForIhavehadenoughofsaintsandprayers。
Strangebrokenthoughtsarebeatinginmybrain,Theycomeandvanishandagaintheycome。
Itisthefeverdrivingoutmysoul,AndDeathstandswaitingbythearrasthere。
Ornella,Iwillspeak,forsoonmylipsShallkeepasilencetilltheendoftime。
Youhaveamouthforloving——listenthen:
KeeptrystwithLovebeforeDeathcomestotryst;
ForI,whodie,couldwishthatIhadlivedAlittleclosertotheworldofmen,Notwatchingalwaysthro’theblazonedpanesThatshowtheworldinchillygreensandbluesAndgrudgethesunshinethatwouldenterin。
IwasnopartofallthetroubledcrowdThatmovedbeneaththepalacewindowshere,AndyetsometimesaknightinshiningsteelWouldpassandcatchthegleamingofmyhair,Andwaveamailedhandandsmileatme,WhereatImadenosignandturnedaway,Affrightedandyetgladandfullofdreams。
Ah,dreamsanddreamsthataskednoanswering!
Ishouldhavewroughttomakemydreamscometrue,Butallmylifewaslikeanautumnday,Fullofgrayquietandahazypeace。
WhatwasIsaying?Allisgoneagain。
ItseemedbutnowIwasthelittlechildWhoplayedwithinagardenlongago。
Beyondthewallsthefestaltrumpetsblared。
PerhapstheycarriedsomeMadonnabyWithtossingensignsinaseaofflowers,ApaintedVirginwithapaintedChild,WhosawforoncethesweetnessofthesunBeforetheyshutherinanaltar—nicheWheretaperssmokeagainstthewindygloom。
IgatheredrosesredderthanmygownAndplayedthatIwasSaintElizabeth,Whosewinehadturnedtorosesinherhands。
AndasIplayed,achildcamethro’thegate,Aboywholookedatmewithoutaword,Astho’hesawstretchfarbehindmyheadLonglinesofradiantangels,rowonrow。
Thatdaywespokealittle,timidly,AndafterthatIneverheardthevoiceThatsangsomanysongsforloveofme。
Hewascontenttostandandwatchmepass,Toseekformeatmatinseveryday,WhereIcouldfeelhiseyesthewhileIprayed。
Ithinkifhehadstretchedhishandstome,Ormovedhislipstosayasingleword,Imighthavelovedhim——hehadwondrouseyes。
Ornella,areyouthere?Icannotsee——
Iseveryonesolonelywhenhedies?
Theroomisfilledwithlights——withwavinglights——
Whoarethemenandwomen’roundthebed?
WhathaveIsaid,Ornella?Havetheyheard?
Therewasnoevilhiddeninmylife,Andyet,andyet,Iwouldnothavethemknow——
AmInotfloatinginamistoflight?
OliftmeupandIshallreachthesun!
SapphoThetwilight’sinnerflamegrowsblueanddeep,AndinmyLesbos,overleaguesofsea,Thetemplesglimmermoonwiseinthetrees。
TwilighthasveiledthelittleflowerfaceHereonmyheart,butstillthenightiskindAndleavesherwarmsweetweightagainstmybreast。
AmIthatSapphowhowouldrunatduskAlongthesurgescreepinguptheshoreWhentidescameintoeasethehungrybeach,Andrunning,running,tillthenightwasblack,WouldfallforespentuponthechillysandAndquiverwiththewindsfromoffthesea?
Ah,quietlytheshinglewaitsthetidesWhosewavesarestingingkisses,buttomeLovebroughtnopeace,nordarknessanyrest。
IcreptandtouchedthefoamwithfeveredhandsAndcriedtoLove,fromwhomtheseaissweet,Fromwhomtheseaisbittererthandeath。
Ah,Aphrodite,ifIsingnomoreTothee,God’sdaughter,powerfulasGod,ItisthatthouhastmademylifetoosweetToholdtheaddedsweetnessofasong。
Thereisaquietattheheartoflove,AndIhavepiercedthepainandcometopeace。
Iholdmypeace,myCleis,onmyheart;
Andsofterthanalittlewildbird’swingArekissesthatshepoursuponmymouth。
Ah,neveranymorewhenspringlikefireWillflickerinthenewlyopenedleaves,ShallIstealforthtoseekforsolitudeBeyondthelureoflightAlcaeus’lyre,BeyondthesobthatstilledErinna’svoice。
Ah,neverwithathroatthatacheswithsong,Beneaththewhiteuncaringskyofspring,ShallIgoforthtohideawhilefromLoveThequiverandthecryingofmyheart。
StillIrememberhowIstrovetofleeThelove—noteofthebirds,andbowedmyheadTohurryfaster,butuponthegroundIsawtwowingedshadowssidebyside,Andalltheworld’sspringpassionstifledme。
Ah,Love,thereisnofleeingfromthymight,Nolonelyplacewherethouhastnevertrod,NodesertthouhastleftuncarpetedWithflowersthatspringbeneaththyperfectfeet。
Inmanyguisesdidstthoucometome;
Isawtheebythemaidenswhiletheydanced,Phaonalluredmewithalookofthine,InAnactoriaIknewthygrace,IlookedatCercolasandsawthineeyes;
Butneverwholly,soulandbodymine,DidstthoubidanylovemeasIloved。
NowIhavefoundthepeacethatfledfromme;
Close,close,againstmyheartIholdmyworld。
Ah,Lovethatmademylifealyriccry,Ah,Lovethattunedmylipstolyresofthine,Itaughttheworldthymusic,nowaloneIsingforonewhofallsasleeptohear。
MariannaAlcoforando(ThePortugueseNun——1640—1723)
Thesparrowswakebeneaththeconventeaves;
IthinkIhavenotsleptthewholenightthrough。
ButIamold;theagedscarcelyknowThetimestheywakeandsleep,forlifeburnsdown;
Theybreathethecalmofdeathbeforetheydie。
Thelongnightends,thedaycomescreepingin,Showingthesorrowsthatthedarknesshid,ThebendedheadofChrist,theblood,thethorns,Thewall’sgraystainsofdamp,thepalletbedWherelittleSisterMartadreamsofsaints,WakingwitharmsoutstretchedimploringlyThatseektostayavision’svanishing。
Ineverhadavision,yetformeOurLadysmiledwhilealltheconventsleptOnewintermidnighthushedaroundwithsnow——
Ithoughtshemightbekinderthantherest,AndsoIcametokneelbeforeherfeet,Sickwithlove’ssorrowandlove’sbitterness。
ButwhenIwouldhavemadetheblessedsign,Ifoundthewaterfrozeninthefont,Andtouchedbuticewithinthecarvedstone。
Thesaintshadhidthemselvesawayfromme,Leavingthewindowsblackagainstthenight;
AndwhenIsankuponthealtarsteps,BeforetheVirginMotherandherChild,Thelast,pale,low—burnttaperflickeredout,Butinthedarkness,smoothandfathomless,StilltwinkledlikeastartheholylampThatcastaduskyglowuponherface。
Thenthroughthenumbingcoldpeacefellonme,Submissionandthegraciousgiftoftears,ForwhenIlooked,Oh!blessedmiracle,HerlipshadpartedandOurLadysmiled!
AndthenIknewthatLoveisworthitspainAndthatmyheartwasricherforhissake,Sincelackofloveisbitterestofall。
Thedayisbroadawake——thefirstlongbeamOflevelsunfindsSisterMarta’sface,AndtremblingthereitlightsatimidsmileUponthelipsthatsaysomanyprayers,Andhavenowordsforhateandnoneforlove。
Butwhenshepasseswhereherprayershavegone,WillGodnotsmilealittlesadlythen,AndsendherbackwithgentlewordstoearthThatshemayholdachildagainstherbreastAndfeelitslittlehandsuponherhair?
WeweepbeforetheBlessedMother’sshrine,Tothinkuponhersorrows,butherjoysWhatnuncouldeverknowatithingof?
TheprecioushoursshewatchedaboveHissleepWereworththefearfulanguishoftheend。
Yea,lackofloveisbitterestofall;
YetIhavefeltwhatthingitistoknowOnethoughtforever,sleepingorawake;
TosayonenamewhosesweetnessgrowssostrangeThatitmightworkaspellonthosewhoweep;
TofeeltheweightofloveuponmyheartSoheavythatthebloodcanscarcelyflow。
Lovecomestosomeunlooked—for,quietly,Aswhenattwilight,withasoftsurprise,Weseethenew—borncrescentintheblue;
Anduntoothersloveisplanet—like,Acoldandplacidgleamthatwaversnot,AndtherearethosewhowaitthecallofloveExpectantofhiscoming,aswewatchToseetheeastgrowpalliderethemoonLiftsupherflower—likeheadagainstthenight。
Lovecametomeascomesacruelsun,Thatonsomerain—drenchedmorning,whentheleavesArebowedbeneaththeirclingingweightofdrops,Tearsthroughthemist,andburnswithferventheatThetendergrassesandthemeadowflowers;
ThensuddenlytheheavycloudscloseinAndthroughthedarkthethunder’smutteringIsdrownedamidthedashingoftherain。
ButIhaveseenmydaygrowcalmagain。
Thesunsetsslowlyonapeacefulworld,Andshedsaquietlightacrossthefields。
GuenevereIwasaqueen,andIhavelostmycrown;
Awife,andIhavebrokenallmyvows;
Alover,andIruinedhimIloved:——
Thereisnootherhavoclefttodo。
AlittlemonthagoIwasaqueen,AndmothersheldtheirbabiesuptoseeWhenIcameridingoutofCamelot。
Thewomensmiled,andalltheworldsmiledtoo。
Andnow,whatwoman’seyeswouldsmileonme?
Istillambeautiful,andyetwhatchildWouldthinkofmeassomehigh,heaven—sentthing,Anangel,cladingoldandminiver?
Theworldwouldrunfromme,andyetamI
Nodifferentfromthequeentheyusedtolove。
Ifwater,flowingsilveroverstones,Isforded,andbeneaththehorses’feetGrowsturbidsuddenly,itclearsagain,Andmenwilldrinkitwithnothoughtofharm。
YetIambrandedforasinglefault。
Iwasthefloweramidatoilingworld,Wherepeoplesmiledtoseeonehappything,Andtheywereproudandgladtoraisemehigh;
TheyonlyaskedthatIshouldberightfair,Alittlekind,andgownedwondrously,AndsurelyitwerelittlepraisetomeIfIhadpleasedthemwellthroughoutmylife。
Iwasaqueen,thedaughterofaking。
Thecrownwasneverheavyonmyhead,Itwasmyright,andwasapartofme。
Thewomenthoughtmeproud,themenwerekind,Andbowedrightgallantlytokissmyhand,AndwatchedmeasIpassedthemcalmlyby,AlongthehallsIshallnottreadagain。
Whatif,to—night,Ishouldrevisitthem?
Thewardersatthegates,thekitchen—maids,Theverybeggarswouldstandofffromme,AndI,theirqueen,wouldclimbthestairsalone,Passthroughthebanquet—hall,aloathedthing,Andseekmychambersforahiding—place,AndIshouldfindthembutasepulchre,Theveryrushesrottedonthefloors,Thefireinashesonthefreezinghearth。
Iwasaqueen,andhewholovedmebestMademeawomanforanightandday,AndnowIgounqueenedforevermore。
Aqueenshouldneverdreamonsummereves,Whenhoveringspellsareheavyinthedusk:——
Ithinknonightwaseverquitesostill,Sosmoothlylitwithredalongthewest,Sodeeplyhushedwithquietthroughandthrough。
Andstrangelyclear,anddeeplydyedwithlight,Thetreesstoodstraightagainstapalingsky,WithVenusburninglamp—likeinthewest。
Iwalkedaloneamidathousandflowers,Thatdroopedtheirheadsanddrowsedbeneaththedew,Andallmythoughtswerequietedtosleep。
Behindme,onthewalk,Iheardastep——
Ididnotknowmyheartcouldtellhistread,IdidnotknowIlovedhimtillthathour。
WithinmybreastIfeltawild,sickpain,Thegardenreeledalittle,Iwasweak,Andquickhecamebehindme,caughtmyarms,Thatachedbeneathhistouch;andthenIswayed,MyheadfellbackwardandIsawhisface。
Allthisgrowsbitterthatwasoncesosweet,Andmanymouthsmustdrainthedregsofit。
Butnonewillpityme,norpityhimWhomLovesolashed,andwithsuchcruelthongs。
ErinnaTheysentyouintosayfarewelltome,No,donotshakeyourhead;IseeyoureyesThatshinewithtears。Sappho,yousawthesunJustnowwhenyoucamehither,andagain,Whenyouhaveleftme,alltheshimmeringGreatmeadowswilllaughlightly,andthesunPutroundaboutyouwarminvisiblearmsAsmightalover,deckingyouwithlight。
Igotowarddarknesstho’Iliesostill。
IfIcouldseethesun,IshouldlookupAnddrinkthelightuntilmyeyeswereblind;
Ishouldkneeldownandkissthebladesofgrass,AndIshouldcallthebirdswithsuchavoice,Withsuchalonging,tremulousandkeen,ThattheywouldflytomeandonthebreastBearevermoretotree—topsandtofieldsThekissIgavethem。Sappho,tellmethis,WasInotsometimesfair?Myeyes,mymouth,Myhairthatlovedthewind,weretheynotworthThebreathofloveuponthem?Yethepassed,Andhewillpassto—nightwhenalltheairIsbluewithtwilight;butIshallnotsee。
Ishallhavegoneforever。Holdmyhands,HoldfastthatDeathmaynevercomebetween;
Swearbythegodsyouwillnotletmego;
MakesongsforDeathasyouwouldsingtoLove——
Butyouwillnotassuagehim。HealoneOfallthegodswilltakenogiftsfrommen。
Iamafraid,afraid。
Sappho,leandown。
Lastnightthefevergaveadreamtome,Ittakesmylifeandgivesalittledream。
IthoughtIsawhimstand,themanIlove,Hereinmyquietchamber,withhiseyesFixedonmeasIentered,whilehedrewSilentlytowardme——hewhonightbynightGoesbymydoorwithoutathoughtofme——
Nearedmeandputhishandbehindmyhead,Andleaningtowardme,kissedmeonthemouth。
ThatwasalittledreamforDeathtogive,Tooshorttotakethewholeoflifefor,yetIwokewithlipsmadequietbyakiss。
Thedreamisworththedying。DonotsmileSosadlyonmewithyourshiningeyes,YouwhocansetyoursorrowtoasongAndeaseyourhurtbysinging。ButtomeMysongsarelessthansea—sandthatthewindDrivesstingingovermeandbearsaway。
Ihavenocarewhatplacethegrainsmayfall,Norofmysongs,ifTimeshallblowthemback,Asland—windbreaksthelinesofdyingfoamAlongthebrightwetbeaches,scatteringTheflakesoncemoreagainstthelaboringsea,Intooblivion。WhatcarehaveI
TopleaseApollosinceLovehearkensnot?
Yourwordswillliveforever,menwillsay\"Shewastheperfectlover\"——Ishalldie,Ilovedtoomuchtolive。GoSappho,go——
Ihateyourhandsthatbeatsofulloflife,Go,lestmyhatredhurtyou。Ishalldie,Butyouwilllivetoloveandloveagain。
Hemighthavelovedsomeotherspringthanthis;
Ishouldhavekeptmylife——Iletitgo。
Hewouldnotlovemenowtho’CyprisboundHergirdleroundme。IamDeath’s,notLove’s。
Gofromme,Sappho,backtofindthesun。
Iamalone,alone。OCyprian……
LoveSongsSongYouboundstrongsandalsonmyfeet,Yougavemebreadandwine,Andbademeout,’neathsunandstars,Foralltheworldwasmine。
Ohtakethesandalsoffmyfeet,Youknownotwhatyoudo;
Forallmyworldisinyourarms,Mysunandstarsareyou。
TheRoseandtheBeeIfIwereabeeandyouwerearose,Wouldyouletmeinwhenthegraywindblows?
Wouldyouholdyourpetalswideapart,Wouldyouletmeintofindyourheart,Ifyouwerearose?
\"IfIwerearoseandyouwereabee,Youshouldnevergowhenyoucametome,Ishouldholdmyloveonmyheartatlast,Ishouldclosemyleavesandkeepyoufast,Ifyouwereabee。\"
TheSongMakerImadeahundredlittlesongsThattoldthejoyandpainoflove,Andsangthemblithely,tho’IknewNowhitthereof。
Iwasaweaverdeafandblind;
Amiraclewaswroughtforme,ButIhavelostmyskilltoweaveSinceIcansee。
ForwhileIsang——ahswiftandstrange!
Lovepassedandtouchedmeonthebrow,AndIwhomadesomanysongsAmsilentnow。
WildAstersInthespringIaskedthedaisiesIfhiswordsweretrue,AndthecleverlittledaisiesAlwaysknew。
Nowthefieldsarebrownandbarren,Bitterautumnblows,AndofallthestupidastersNotoneknows。
WhenLoveGoesI
Omother,Iamsickoflove,Icannotlaughnorliftmyhead,Mybitterdreamshavebrokenme,Iwouldmyloveweredead。
\"DrinkofthedraughtIbrewforthee,Thoushalthavequietinitsstead。\"
II
Whereisthesilverintherain,Whereisthemusicinthesea,WhereisthebirdthatsangalldayTobreakmyheartwithmelody?
\"ThenightthoubadstLoveflyaway,Hehidthemallfromthee。\"
TheWayfarerLoveenteredinmyheartoneday,Asad,unwelcomeguest;
Butwhenhebeggedthathemightstay,Ilethimwaitandrest。
Hebrokemysleepwithsorrowing,Andshookmydreamswithtears,Andwhenmyheartwasfaintosing,Hestilleditsjoywithfears。
Butnowthathehasgonehisway,Imisstheoldsweetpain,AndsometimesinthenightIprayThathemaycomeagain。
ThePrincessintheTowerI
ThePrincesssings:
IamtheprincessupinthetowerAndIdreamthewholedaythro’
OfaknightwhoshallcomewithasilverspearAndawavingplumeofblue。
Iamtheprincessupinthetower,AndIdreammydreamsbyday,ButsometimesIwake,andmyeyesarewet,Whentheduskisdeepandgray。
Forthepeasantloversgobybeneath,Ihearthemlaughandkiss,AndIforgetmyday—dreamknight,Andlongforalovelikethis。
II
TheMinstrelsings:
Iliebesidetheprincess’tower,Socloseshecannotseemyface,Andwatchherdreamingalldaylong,Andbendingwithalily’sgrace。
HercheeksarepalerthanthemoonThatsailsalongasunnysky,AndyethersilentmouthisredWheretenderwordsandkisseslie。
Iamaminstrelwithaharp,Forloveofhermysongsaresweet,AndyetIdarenotliftthevoiceThatliessofarbeneathherfeet。
III
TheKnightsings:
OprincessceaseyourdreamsawhileAndlookadownyourtower’sgrayside——
Theprincessgazesfaraway,NorhearsnorheedsthewordsIcried。
Perchancemyheartwasoverbold,Godmadeherdreamstoopuretobreak,SheseestheangelsintheairFlytoandfroforMary’ssake。
Farewell,Imountandgomyway,——Butohherhairthesunsiftsthro’——
Thetiltsandtourneyswaitmyspear,IamtheKnightofthePlumeofBlue。
WhenLoveWasBornWhenLovewasbornIthinkhelayRightwarmonVenus’breast,AndwhileshesmiledandwhileswouldplayAndwhileswouldtakehisrest。
Butalways,foldedoutofsight,ThewingsweregrowingstrongThatweretobearhimoffinflightErelong,erelong。
TheShrineThereisnolordwithinmyheart,LeftsilentasanemptyshrineWhereroseandmyrtleintertwine,Withinaplaceapart。
NogodisthereofcarvenstoneTowatchwithstillapprovingeyesMythoughtslikesteadyincenserise;
Idreamandweepalone。
ButifIkeepmyaltarfair,SomemorningIshallliftmyheadFromrosesdeftlygarlandedTofindthegodisthere。
TheBlindThebirdsarealla—building,Theysaytheworld’sa—flower,AndstillIlingerlonelyWithinabarrenbower。
IweaveaweboffanciesOftearsanddarknessspun。
HowshallIsingofsunlightWhoneversawthesun?
Ihearthepipesa—blowing,ButyetImaynotdance,IknowthatLoveispassing,Icannotcatchhisglance。
AndifhisvoiceshouldcallmeAndIwithgropingdimShouldreachhisplaceofcallingAndstretchmyarmstohim,ThewindwouldblowbetweenmyhandsForJoythatIshallmiss,TherainwouldfalluponmymouthThathiswillneverkiss。
LoveMeBrown—thrushsingingalldaylongIntheleavesaboveme,Takemylovethislittlesong,\"Loveme,loveme,loveme!\"
Whenheharkenswhatyousay,Bidhim,lesthemissme,Leavehisworkorleavehisplay,Andkissme,kissme,kissme!
TheSongforColinIsangasongatduskingtimeBeneaththeeveningstar,AndTerencelefthislatestrhymeToanswerfromafar。
Pierrotlaiddownhislutetoweep,Andsighed,\"Shesingsforme,\"
ButColinsleptacarelesssleepBeneathanappletree。
FourWinds\"Fourwindsblowingthro’thesky,Youhaveseenpoormaidensdie,TellmethenwhatIshalldoThatmylovermaybetrue。\"
Saidthewindfromoutthesouth,\"Laynokissuponhismouth,\"
Andthewindfromoutthewest,\"Woundtheheartwithinhisbreast,\"
Andthewindfromouttheeast,\"Sendhimemptyfromthefeast,\"
Andthewindfromoutthenorth,\"Inthetempestthrusthimforth,Whenthouartmorecruelthanhe,ThenwillLovebekindtothee。\"
RoundelIfhecouldknowmysongsareallforhim,Atsilverdawnorintheeveningglow,Wouldhenotsmileandthinkitbutawhim,Ifhecouldknow?
Orwouldhisheartrejoiceandoverflow,AshappybrooksthatbreaktheiricyrimWhenApril’shornsalongthehillsidesblow?
ImaynotspeaktillEros’torchisdim,Thegodisbitterandwillhaveitso;
Andyetto—nightourfatewouldseemlessgrimIfhecouldknow。
DewIdreamthatheismine,Idreamthatheistrue,AndallhiswordsIkeepAsrose—leavesholdthedew。
Olittlethirstyrose,Olittleheartbeware,LestyoushouldhopetoholdAhundredroses’share。
AMaidenOhifIwerethevelvetroseUpontheredrosevine,I’dclimbtotouchhiswindowAndmakehiscasementfine。
AndifIwerethelittlebirdThattwittersonthetree,AlldayI’dsingmyloveforhimTillheshouldharkenme。
ButsinceIamamaidenIgowithdowncasteyes,AndhewillneverhearthesongsThathehasturnedtosighs。
AndsinceIamamaidenMylovewillneverknowThatIcouldkisshimwithamouthMoreredthanrosesblow。
\"ILoveYou\"
WhenAprilbendsabovemeAndfindsmefastasleep,DustneednotkeepthesecretAliveheartdiedtokeep。
WhenApriltellsthethrushes,Themeadow—larkswillknow,AndpipethethreewordslightlyToallthewindsthatblow。
Abovehisrooftheswallows,Innoteslikefar—blownrain,WilltellthelittlesparrowBesidehiswindow—pane。
Osparrow,littlesparrow,WhenIamfastasleep,ThentellmylovethesecretThatIhavediedtokeep。
ButNottoMeTheAprilnightisstillandsweetWithflowersoneverytree;
Peacecomestothemonquietfeet,Butnottome。
MypeaceishiddeninhisbreastWhereIshallneverbe,Lovecomesto—nighttoalltherest,Butnottome。
HiddenLoveIhidthelovewithinmyheart,Andlitthelaughterinmyeyes,ThatwhenwemeethemaynotknowMylovethatneverdies。
ButsometimeswhenhedreamsatnightOffragrantforestsgreenanddim,ItmaybethatmylovecreptoutAndbroughtthedreamtohim。
AndsometimeswhenhisheartissickAndsuddenlygrowswellagain,ItmaybethatmylovewasthereTofreehislifeofpain。
SnowSongFairysnow,fairysnow,Blowing,blowingeverywhere,WouldthatI
Too,couldflyLightly,lightlythroughtheair。
Likeawee,crystalstarIshoulddrift,IshouldblowNear,morenear,TomydearWherehecomesthroughthesnow。
IshouldflytomyloveLikeaflakeinthestorm,Ishoulddie,Ishoulddie,Onhislipsthatarewarm。
YouthandthePilgrimGraypilgrim,youhavejourneyedfar,IprayyoutelltomeIstherealandwhereLoveisnot,Byshoreofanysea?
ForIamwearyofthegod,AndIwouldfleefromhimTho’ImusttakeashipandgoBeyondtheocean’srim。
\"IknowaportwhereLoveisnot,Theshipisinyourhand,ThenplungeyourswordwithinyourbreastAndyouwillreachtheland。\"
TheWandererIsawthesunset—coloredsands,TheNilelikeflowingfirebetween,WhereRamesesstaresforthserene,AndAmmon’sheavytemplestands。
Isawtherockswherelongago,Abovetheseathatcriesandbreaks,BrightPerseuswithMedusa’ssnakesSetfreethemaidenwhitelikesnow。
Andmanyskieshavecoveredme,Andmanywindshaveblownmeforth,AndIhavelovedthegreenbrightnorth,AndIhavelovedthecoldsweetsea。
Butwhattomearenorthandsouth,Andwhatthelureofmanylands,SinceyouhaveleanedtocatchmyhandsAndlayakissuponmymouth。
IWouldLiveinYourLoveIwouldliveinyourloveasthesea—grassesliveinthesea,Borneupbyeachwaveasitpasses,drawndownbyeachwavethatrecedes;
Iwouldemptymysoulofthedreamsthathavegatheredinme,Iwouldbeatwithyourheartasitbeats,Iwouldfollowyoursoulasitleads。
MayThewindistossingthelilacs,Thenewleaveslaughinthesun,Andthepetalsfallontheorchardwall,Butformethespringisdone。
BeneaththeappleblossomsIgoawintryway,ForlovethatsmiledinAprilIsfalsetomeinMay。
RispettoWasthathisstepthatsoundedonthestair?
WasthathisknockIhearduponthedoor?
IgrowsotiredIalmostceasetocare,AndyetIwouldthathemightcomeoncemore。
ItwasthewindIheard,thatmocksatme,Thebitterwindthatismorecruelthanhe;
Itwasthewindthatknockeduponthedoor,Buthewillneverknocknorentermore。
LessthantheCloudtotheWindLessthanthecloudtothewind,Lessthanthefoamtothesea,LessthantherosetothestormAmItothee。
Morethanthestartothenight,Morethantheraintothelea,MorethanheaventoearthArtthoutome。
BuriedLoveIshallburymywearyLoveBeneathatree,IntheforesttallandblackWherenonecansee。
Ishallputnoflowersathishead,Norstoneathisfeet,ForthemouthIlovedsomuchWasbittersweet。
Ishallgonomoretohisgrave,Forthewoodsarecold。
IshallgatherasmuchofjoyAsmyhandscanhold。
IshallstayalldayinthesunWherethewidewindsblow,Butoh,IshallweepatnightWhennonewillknow。
SongOwoeisme,myheartissad,ForIshouldneverknowIfLovecamebylikeanylad,Withouthissilverbow。
OrifhelefthisarrowssharpAndcameaminstrelweary,I’dnevertellhimbyhisharpNorknowhimformydearie。
\"Ogoyourwaysandhavenofear,Fortho’Lovepassesby,He’llcomeahundredtimes,mydear,Beforeyourturntodie。\"
PierrotPierrotstandsinthegardenBeneathawaningmoon,AndonhislutehefashionsAlittlesilvertune。
Pierrotplaysinthegarden,Hethinksheplaysforme,ButIamquiteforgottenUnderthecherrytree。
Pierrotplaysinthegarden,AndalltherosesknowThatPierrotloveshismusic,ButIlovePierrot。
AtNightLovesaid,\"Wakestillandthinkofme,\"
Sleep,\"Closeyoureyestillbreakofday,\"
ButDreamscamebyandsmilinglyGavebothtoLoveandSleeptheirway。
SongWhenLovecomessingingtohisheartThatwouldnotwakeforme,IthinkthatIshallknowhisjoyBymyownecstasy。
Andtho’theseawereallbetween,Thetimetheirhandsshallmeet,Myheartwillknowhishappiness,Sowildlyitwillbeat。
Andwhenhebendsabovehermouth,Rejoicingforhissake,Mysoulwillsingalittlesong,Butoh,myheartwillbreak。
LoveinAutumnIsoughtamongthedriftingleaves,Thegoldenleavesthatonceweregreen,ToseeifLovewerehidingthereAndpeepingoutbetween。
Forthro’thesilvershowersofMayAndthro’thesummer’sheavyheat,InvainIsoughthisgoldenheadAndlight,fast—flyingfeet。
PerhapswhenalltheworldisbareAndcruelwinterholdstheland,TheLovethatfindsnoplacetohideWillrunandcatchmyhand。
Ishallnotcaretohavehimthen,Ishallbebitteranda—cold——
ItgrowstoolateforfrolickingWhenalltheworldisold。
ThenlittlehidingLove,comeforth,Comeforthbeforetheautumngoes,Andletusseekthro’ruinedpathsThegarden’slastredrose。
TheKissIhopedthathewouldloveme,Andhehaskissedmymouth,ButIamlikeastrickenbirdThatcannotreachthesouth。
Fortho’Iknowhelovesme,To—nightmyheartissad;
HiskisswasnotsowonderfulAsallthedreamsIhad。
NovemberTheworldistired,theyearisold,Thelittleleavesaregladtodie,ThewindgoesshiveringwithcoldAmongtherushesdry。
Ourloveisdyinglikethegrass,Andwewhokissedgrowcoldlykind,HalfgladtoseeourpoorlovepassLikeleavesalongthewind。
ASongofthePrincessTheprincesshasherlovers,Ascoreofknightshasshe,Andeachcansingamadrigal,Andpraisehergracefully。
ButLovethatissobitterHathputwithinherheartAlongingforthescornfulknightWhosilentstandsapart。
Andtho’theotherspraiseandplead,Shemakethnoreply,Yetforasinglewordfromhim,Iweenthatshewoulddie。
TheWindAwindisblowingovermysoul,Ihearitcrythewholenightthro’——
IstherenopeaceformeonearthExceptwithyou?
Alas,thewindhasmademewise,Overmynakedsoulitblew,——
ThereisnopeaceformeonearthEvenwithyou。
AWinterNightMywindow—paneisstarredwithfrost,Theworldisbittercoldto—night,ThemooniscruelandthewindIslikeatwo—edgedswordtosmite。
Godpityallthehomelessones,Thebeggarspacingtoandfro。
Godpityallthepoorto—nightWhowalkthelamp—litstreetsofsnow。
MyroomislikeabitofJune,Warmandclose—curtainedfoldonfold,Butsomewhere,likeahomelesschild,Myheartiscryinginthecold。
TheMetropolitanTowerWewalkedtogetherintheduskTowatchthetowergrowdimlywhite,AndsawitliftagainsttheskyItsflowerofamberlight。
Youtalkedofhalfahundredthings,Ikepteachlittlewordyousaid;
Andwhenatlastthehourwasfull,Isawthelightturnred。