Part 9 (1/2)

There have been moments, at the set of sun, When I have long'd for wings upon the wind, That I might seek a planet to my mind, More full-develop'd than this present one; With more of scope, when all is said and done, To satisfy the wants of human kind.

XVII.

A world with thee, a home in some remote And unknown region, which no sage's ken Has compa.s.s'd yet; of which no human pen Has traced the limits; where no terrors float In wind or wave, and where the soul may note A thousand raptures unreveal'd to men.

XVIII.

To be transported in a magic car, On some transcendent night in early June, Beyond the horn'd projections of the moon; To have our being in a bridal star, In lands of light, where only angels are, Athwart the s.p.a.ces where the comets swoon.

XIX.

To be all this: to have in our estate Worlds without stint, and quit them for the clay Of some new planet where a summer's day Lasts fifty years; and there to celebrate Our Golden Wedding, by the will of Fate-- This were a subject for a seraph's lay.

XX.

This were a life to live,--a life indeed,-- A thing to die for; if, in truth, we die When we but put our mortal vestments by.

This were a climax for a lover's need Sweeter than songs, and holier than the creed Of half the zealots who have sought the sky.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Letter VIII A VISION]

LETTER VIII.

A VISION.

I.

Yes, I will tell thee what, a week ago, I dreamt of thee, and all the joy therein Which I conceiv'd, and all the holy din Of throbbing music, which appear'd to flow From room to room, as if to make me know The power thereof to lead me out of sin.

II.

Methought I saw thee in a ray of light, This side a grove--a dream within a dream-- With eyes of tender pleading, and the gleam Of far-off summers in thy tresses bright; And I did tremble at the gracious sight, As one who sees a naad in a stream.

III.

I follow'd thee. I knew that, in the wood, Where thus we met, there was a trysting-place.

I follow'd thee, as mortals in a chase Follow the deer. I knew that it was good To track thy step, and promptly understood The fitful blush that flutter'd to thy face.

IV.

I followed thee to where a brook did run Close to a grot; and there I knelt to thee.

And then a score of birds flew over me,-- Birds which arrived because the day was done, To sing the Sanctus of the setting sun; And then I heard thy voice upon the lea.