Volume Iii Part 4 (1/2)

'LOVE IS WINGED FOR TWO'

Love is winged for two, In the worst he weathers, When their hearts are tied; But if they divide, O too true!

Cracks a globe, and feathers, feathers, Feathers all the ground bestrew.

I was breast of morning sea, Rosy plume on forest dun, I the laugh in rainy fleeces, While with me She made one.

Now must we pick up our pieces, For that then so winged were we.

'ASK, IS LOVE DIVINE'

Ask, is Love divine, Voices all are, ay.

Question for the sign, There's a common sigh.

Would we, through our years, Love forego, Quit of scars and tears?

Ah, but no, no, no!

'JOY IS FLEET'

Joy is fleet, Sorrow slow.

Love, so sweet, Sorrow will sow.

Love, that has flown Ere day's decline, Love to have known, Sorrow, be mine!

THE LESSON OF GRIEF

Not ere the bitter herb we taste, Which ages thought of happy times, To plant us in a weeping waste, Rings with our fellows this one heart Accordant chimes.

When I had shed my glad year's leaf, I did believe I stood alone, Till that great company of Grief Taught me to know this craving heart For not my own.

WIND ON THE LYRE

That was the chirp of Ariel You heard, as overhead it flew, The farther going more to dwell, And wing our green to wed our blue; But whether note of joy or knell, Not his own Father-singer knew; Nor yet can any mortal tell, Save only how it s.h.i.+vers through; The breast of us a sounded sh.e.l.l, The blood of us a lighted dew.

THE YOUTHFUL QUEST

His Lady queen of woods to meet, He wanders day and night: The leaves have whisperings discreet, The mossy ways invite.

Across a l.u.s.trous ring of s.p.a.ce, By covert hoods and caves, Is promise of her secret face In film that onward waves.

For darkness is the light astrain, Astrain for light the dark.

A grey moth down a larches' lane Unwinds a ghostly spark.

Her lamp he sees, and young desire Is fed while cloaked she flies.

She quivers shot of violet fire To ash at look of eyes.

THE EMPTY PURSE--A SERMON TO OUR LATER PRODIGAL SON