Part 51 (1/2)

XCV AMOR MUNDI

CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI--1830-

”O where are you going with your love-locks flowing, On the ind blowing along this valley track?”

”The down-hill path is easy, come with me an it please ye, We shall escape the up-hill by never turning back”

So they tent together in glowing August weather, The honey-breathing heather lay to their left and right; And dear she was to doat on, her swift feet seeeons too sportive to alight

”Oh, what is that in heaven where grey cloud-flakes are seven, Where blackest clouds hang riven just at the rainy skirt?”

”Oh, that's a e dunal of help or hurt”

”Oh, what is that glides quickly where velvet flowers grow thickly, Their scent comes rich and sickly?” ”A scaled and hooded worm”

”Oh, what's that in the hollow, so pale I quake to follow?”

”Oh, that's a thin dead body which waits the eternal terain, false and fleetest: This beaten way thou beatest, I fear is hell's own track”

”Nay, too steep for hill : This down-hill path is easy, but there's no turning back”

XCVI TOUJOURS AMOUR

EDMUND CLARENCE STEDMAN--1833-

Prithee tell in?

Your blue eyes have scarcely seen Summers three, my fairy queen, But a miracle of sweets, Soft approaches, sly retreats, Show the little archer there, Hidden in your pretty hair; When didst learn a heart to win?

Prithee tell me, Dimple-Chin!

”Oh!” the rosy lips reply, ”I can't tell you if I try

Tis so long I can't reer lass than I”

Tell, O tell me, Grizzled-Face, Do your heart and head keep pace?

When does hoary Love expire, When do frosts put out the fire?

Can its embers burn below All that chill December snow?

Care you still soft hands to press, Bonny heads to sive up the chase?

Tell, O tell me, Grizzled-Face!