Part 2 (1/2)

I urged my suit. ”My bond!” I did exclaim, ”My pink and white, the hand I love to press, The golden hair that crowns her loveliness; And all the beauties which I cannot name; All, all are mine, and I will have the same, Though she should hate me for my love's excess.”

XX.

I knew myself. I knew the withering fate That would consume me, if, amid my trust, I sued for Hope as beggars for a crust.

”O G.o.d!” I cried, entranced though desolate, ”Hallow my love, or turn it into hate.”

And then I bow'd, in anguish, to the dust.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Letter II SORROW]

LETTER II.

SORROW.

I.

Yes, I was mad. I know it. I was mad.

For there is madness in the looks of love; And he who frights a tender, brooding dove Is not more base than I, and not so sad; For I had kill'd the hope that made me glad, And curs'd, in thought, the sunlight from above.

II.

He was a fool, indeed, who lately tried To touch the moon, far-s.h.i.+ning in the trees, He clomb the branches with his hands and knees.

And craned his neck to kiss what he espied.

But down he fell, unseemly in his pride, And told his follies to the fitful breeze.

III.

I was convicted of as strange a thing, And wild as strange; for, in a hope forlorn, I fought with Fate. But now the flag is torn Which like a herald in the days of spring I held aloft. The birds have ceased to sing The dear old songs they sang from morn to morn.

IV.

All holy things avoid me. Breezes pa.s.s And will not fan my cheek, as once they did.

The gloaming hies away like one forbid; And day returns, and shadows on the gra.s.s Fall from the trees; and night and morn ama.s.s No joys for me this side the coffin-lid.

V.

Absolve me, Sweet! Absolve me, or I die; And give me pardon, if no other boon.

Aye, give me pardon, and the sun and moon, And all the stars that wander through the sky Will be thy sponsors, and the gladden'd cry Of one poor heart will thank thee for it soon.

VI.