Part 14 (2/2)

How pale his pomp! He cannot sue to thee, But I am sainted every time I kneel.

V.

I walk'd abroad, to-day, ere yet the dark Had left the hills, and down the beaten road I saunter'd forth a mile from mine abode.

I heard, afar, the watchdog's sudden bark, And, near at hand, the tuning of a lark, Safe in its nest, but weighted with an ode.

VI.

The moon was pacing up the sky serene, Pallid and pure, as if she late had shown Her outmost side, and fear'd to make it known; And, like a nun, she gazed upon the scene From bars of cloud that seemed to stand between, And pray'd and smiled, and smiled and pray'd alone.

VII.

The stars had fled. Not one remain'd behind To warn or comfort; or to make amends For hope delay'd,--for ecstasy that ends At dawn's approach. The firmament was blind Of all its eyes; and, wanton up the wind, There came the shuddering that the twilight sends.

VIII.

The hills exulted at the Morning's birth,-- And clouds a.s.sembled, quick, as heralds run Before a king to say the fight is won.

The rich, warm daylight fell upon the earth Like wine outpour'd in madness, or in mirth, To celebrate the rising of the sun.

IX.

And when the soaring lark had done its prayer, The holy thing, self-poised amid the blue Of that great sky, did seem, a s.p.a.ce or two, To pause and think, and then did clip the air And dropped to earth to claim his guerdon there.

”Thank G.o.d!” I cried, ”My dearest dream is true!”

X.

I was too happy, then, to leap and dance; But I could ponder; I could gaze and gaze From earth to sky and back to woodland ways.

The bird had thrill'd my heart, and cheer'd my glance, For he had found to-day his nest-romance, And lov'd a mate, and crown'd her with his praise.

XI.

O Love! my Love! I would not for a throne, I would not for the thrones of all the kings Who yet have liv'd, or for a seraph's wings, Or for the nod of Jove when night hath flown, Consent to rule an empire all alone.

No! I must have the grace of our two rings.

XII.

I must possess thee from the crowning curl Down to the feet, and from the beaming eye Down to the bosom where my treasures lie.

From blush to blush, and from the rows of pearl That light thy smile, I must possess thee, girl, And be thy lord and master till I die.

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