Part 15 (1/2)

XIII.

This, and no less: the keeper of thy fame, The proud controller of each silken tress, And each dear item of thy loveliness, And every oath, and every dainty name Known to a bride: a picture in a frame Of golden hair, to turn to and caress.

XIV.

And though I know thee p.r.o.ne, in vacant hours, To laugh and talk with those who circ.u.mvent And make mad speeches; though I know the bent Of some such men, and though in ladies' bowers They brag of swords--I know my proven powers; I know myself and thee, and am content.

XV.

I know myself; and why should I demur?

The lily, bowing to the breeze's play, Is not forgetful of the sun in May.

She is his nymph, and with a servitor She doth but jest. The sun looks down at her, And knows her true, and loves her day by day.

XVI.

E'en so I thee, O Lady of my Heart!

O Lady white as lilies on the lea, And fair as foam upon the ocean free Whereon the sun hath sent a s.h.i.+ning dart!

E'en so I love thee, blameless as thou art, And with my soul's desire I compa.s.s thee.

XVII.

For thou art Woman in the sweetest sense Of true endowment, and a bride indeed Fit for Apollo. This is Woman's need: To be a beacon when the air is dense, A bower of peace, a life-long recompense-- This is the sum of Woman's worldly creed.

XVIII.

And what is Man the while? And what his will?

And what the furtherance of his earthly hope?

To turn to Faith, to turn, as to a rope A drowning sailor; all his blood to spill For One he loves, to keep her out of ill-- This is the will of Man, and this his scope.

XIX.

'Tis like the tranquil sea, that knows anon It can be wild, and keep away from home A thousand s.h.i.+ps--and lash itself to foam-- And beat the sh.o.r.e, and all that lies thereon-- And catch the thunder ere the flash has gone Forth from the cloud that spans it like a dome.

XX.

This is the will of Man, and this is mine.

But lo! I love thee more than wealth or fame, More than myself, and more than those who came With Christ's commission from the goal divine.

Soul of my soul, and mine as I am thine, I cling to thee, my Life! as fire to flame.

Miscellaneous Poems.