Volume Ii Part 133 (1/2)

THE La.s.s THAT DIED OF LOVE

Life is not dear or gay Till lovers kiss it, Love stole my life away Ere I might miss it.

In sober March I vowed I'd have no lover, Love laid me in my shroud Ere June was over.

I felt his body take My body to it, And knew my heart would break Ere I should rue it; June roses are not sad When dew-drops steep them, My moments were so glad I could not keep them.

Proud was I love had made Desire to fill me, I shut my eyes and prayed That he might kill me.

I saw new wonders wreathe The stars above him.

And oh, I could not breathe For kissing of him.

Is love too sweet to last, Too fierce to cherish, Can kisses fall too fast And lovers perish?

Who heeds since love disarms Death, ere we near him?

Within my lover's arms I did not fear him!

But since I died in sin And all unshriven, They would not let me win Into their heaven; They would not let my bier Into G.o.d's garden, But bade me tarry here And pray for pardon.

I lie and wait for grace That shall surround me, His kisses on my face, His arms around me; And sinless maids draw near To drop above me A virginal sad tear For envy of me.

Richard Middleton [1882-1911]

THE Pa.s.sION-FLOWER

My love gave me a pa.s.sion-flower.

I nursed it well--so brief its hour!

My eyelids ache, my throat is dry: He told me that it would not die.

My love and I are one, and yet Full oft my cheeks with tears are wet-- So sweet the night is and the bower!

My love gave me a pa.s.sion-flower.

So sweet! Hold fast my hands. Can G.o.d Make all this joy revert to sod, And leave to me but this for dower-- My love gave me a pa.s.sion-flower.

Margaret Fuller [1871-

NORAH

I knew his house by the poplar-trees, Green and silvery in the breeze;

”A heaven-high hedge,” were the words he said, ”And holly-hocks, pink and white and red....”