Part 50 (1/2)
(The sea that breaks, and beats and shakes The caverns, howling loud, Beyond the midnight Myall Lakes,*
And half-awakened Stroud!)**
-- * A chain of lakes near Port Stephens, N.S.W.
** A town on the Karuah, which flows into Port Stephens.
There, through the fretful autumn days, Beneath a cloudy sun, Comes rolling down rain-rutted ways, The wind, Euroclydon!
While rattles over riven rocks The thunder, harsh and dry; And bl.u.s.tering gum and brooding box Are thres.h.i.+ng at the sky!
And then the gloom doth vex the sight With crude, unshapely forms Which hold throughout the yelling night A fellows.h.i.+p with storms!
But here are shady tufts and turns, Where sumptuous Summer lies (By reaches brave with flags and ferns) With large, luxuriant eyes.
And here, another getteth ease-- Our Spring, so rarely seen, Who shows us in the cedar trees A glimpse of golden green.
What time the flapping bats have trooped Away like ghosts to graves, And darker growths than Night are cooped In silent, hillside caves.
Ah, Dungog, dream of darling days, 'Tis better thou should'st be A far-off thing to love and praise-- A boon from Heaven to me!
For, let me say that when I look With wearied eyes on men, I think of one unchanging nook, And find my faith again.
Deniehy's Lament
Spirit of Loveliness! Heart of my heart!
Flying so far from me, Heart of my heart!
Above the eastern hill, I know the red leaves thrill, But thou art distant still, Heart of my heart!
Sinning, I've searched for thee, Heart of my heart!
Sinning, I've dreamed of thee, Heart of my heart!
I know no end nor gain; amongst the paths of pain I follow thee in vain, Heart of my heart!
Much have I lost for thee, Heart of my heart!
Not counting the cost for thee, Heart of my heart!
Through all this year of years thy form as mist appears, So blind am I with tears, Heart of my heart!
Mighty and mournful now, Heart of my heart!
Cometh the Shadow-Face, Heart of my heart!
The friends I've left for thee, their sad eyes trouble me-- I cannot bear to be, Heart of my heart!