Part 9 (1/2)

You came and you went, and I swept you aside, not a trace Does my wisdom endure of your words and your beautiful face And the curls of your hair; Yet your presence, a song, murmurs ever in hopeless refrain, And I wake in the night with my empty hands yearning in vain For the touch of your hair.

You went, and I triumphed--I crushed out my heart with a kiss On the lips that are ashen, forgetting spring's wonderful bliss And your tremulous lips; Yet the kisses were ghostly with jasmine, dear jasmine of May-- The new has the soul of the old, is aflame with the way And the touch of your lips.

You came and you went, and the world wearies on with its game.

My heart never falters or fears at the sound of your name Or the sight of your face; Yet the ghost of our pa.s.sion stands white in the midst of my heart, With your hands and your hair, and I know it will never depart Pa.s.sion's ghost with your face!

x.x.xIV

_Fight!_

Fight, though the bulwarks of your faith may fall, Life become gray and full of weariness, Love prove a lie and wisdom bitterness-- Fight, for the strife alone avails for all.

Fight and fight on, exulting in the light, Standing alert and upright gleefully, Seizing life's joys and woes courageously, Man to the end, and master--laugh and fight.

x.x.xV

_In Tonga_

The windy rain beats, beats about my door-- Alas for love when love goes wandering!

The dawn mist rises on the forest floor-- Alas for life when love goes wandering!

With wet, green leaves the palm-trees lash the night, The pitiless trades drive wild G.o.ds in their flight.

And, ah, my lover! Moons have come and gone, The fighting ended, still he lingers on.

Sleepless I hear the demon wind above-- Alas for love when love goes wandering!

And I must wed with one I do not love-- Alas for life when love goes wandering!

x.x.xVI

_This was the Song_

We have forgotten. This the rowers knew, Straining within the galleys' reeling night.

Life bent to breaking, while their great souls grew Strong in the ancient purposes of Time.

This was the song whereby they made their fight, Laughed as they swung. G.o.ds! how the cord bit through!

This was the song the pagan lovers heard, Wakened by flowers in a rose-red dawn.