Part 1 (2/2)

But mine! Ah, mine is like a tattered leaf Upon a turbid stream. I have no pride, No life, but love, which is a bitter grief.

As a lost star I wander down your sky.

Give me your heart. Open it wide--so wide!

I must have love and laughter, or I die.

V

_Too Late_

Upon your stone the wine of my desire Is spilled. Your poppy lips have grown too pale From fasting. Your white hands will not avail The cold eyes of your heart to light the fire.

I did not think my prayers could ever tire.

Now, like doomed s.h.i.+ps, they flutter without sail.

Lost in a calm which held no rock, no gale-- Now, when your chilly smile bids me aspire!

So, without history, my soul is slain-- Woman of barren love; the wine was red-- Beautiful for your spending. Not again Will the bud blossom where the frost has sped.

Timid, you dared not hark when angels sang.

All, all is lost, without one saving pang.

VI

_The Supreme Sacrifice_

Better than life, better than sea and morn, And all the sun-stained fragments of the day-- Ah! more than breeze, than purple clouds that stray Across dim twilights--I, the tempest-torn, Fighting the stars for glory, who must scorn Heart-drops bespread along love's cruel way Like scattered petals on the breast of May-- Better than life I love you, I forlorn.

Better than death--the sleeping and the peace When warm within the breast of brooding Earth My weary heart should give its woes release, The pitiful dark remembering not my loss, The calm, wise years restoring joy for dearth-- Better than death, my love, my burning cross.

VII

_Malua_

Out of the purple treasuries of night Came the dark wind of evening silver-starred-- Stirred on his cheek. The forest keeping ward Breathed with a tremulous silence, and the bright, Bare moon crowned his adoring brow with light.

The exquisite dream of beauty held him hard In a great love, a forest love, unmarred-- Still unprofaned--by human nature's sight.

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