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  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。

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