Volume II Part 3 (1/2)

I

Come, the dusk is lit with flowers!

Quietly take this guiding hand: Little breath to waste is ours On the road to lovers' land.

Time is in his dungeon-keep!

Ah, not thither, lest he hear, Starting from his old grey sleep, Rosy feet upon the stair.

II

Ah, not thither, lest he heed Ere we reach the rusty door!

Nay, the stairways only lead Back to his dark world once more: There's a merrier way we know Leading to a lovelier night-- See, your cas.e.m.e.nt all a-glow Diamonding the wonder-light.

III

Fling the flowery lattice wide, Let the silken ladder down, Swiftly to the garden glide Glimmering in your long white gown, Rosy from your pillow, sweet, Come, unsandalled and divine; Let the blossoms stain your feet And the stars behold them s.h.i.+ne.

IV

Swift, our pawing palfreys wait, And the page--Dan Cupid--frets, Holding at the garden gate Reins that chime like castanets, Bits a-foam with fairy flakes Flung from seas whence Venus rose: Come, for Father Time awakes And the star of morning glows.

V

Swift--one satin foot shall sway Half a heart-beat in my hand, Swing to stirrup and swift away Down the road to lovers' land: Ride--the moon is dusky gold, Ride--our hearts are young and warm, Ride--the hour is growing old, And the next may break the charm.

VI

Swift, ere we that thought the song Full--for others--of the truth, We that smiled, contented, strong, Dowered with endless wealth of youth, Find that like a summer cloud Youth indeed has crept away, Find the robe a clinging shroud And the hair be-sprent with grey.

VII

Ride--we'll leave it all behind, All the turmoil and the tears, All the mad vindictive blind Yelping of the heartless years!

Ride--the ringing world's in chase, Yet we've slipped old Father Time, By the love-light in your face And the jingle of this rhyme.

VIII

Ride--for still the hunt is loud!

Ride--our steeds can hold their own!