Part 39 (1/2)
_No gold can buy you entrance there_; _But beggared Love may go all bare_-- _No wisdom won with weariness_; _But Love goes in with Folly's dress_-- _No fame that wit could ever win_; _But only Love may lead Love in_ _To Arcady, to Arcady_.
Ah, woe is me, through all my days Wisdom and wealth I both have got, And fame and name, and great men's praise; But Love, ah, Love! I have it not.
There was a time, when life was new-- But far away, and half forgot-- I only know her eyes were blue; But Love--I fear I knew it not.
We did not wed, for lack of gold, And she is dead, and I am old.
All things have come since then to me, Save Love, ah, Love! and Arcady.
_Ah, then I fear we part_ (quoth he), _My way's for Love and Arcady._
But you, you fare alone, like me; The gray is likewise in your hair.
What love have you to lead you there, To Arcady, to Arcady?
_Ah, no, not lonely do I fare; My true companion's Memory.
With Love he fills the Spring-time air; With Love he clothes the Winter tree.
Oh, past this poor horizon's bound My song goes straight to one who stands-- Her face all gladdening at the sound-- To lead me to the Spring-green lands, To wander with enlacing hands.
The songs within my breast that stir Are all of her, are all of her.
My maid is dead long years_ (quoth he), _She waits for me in Arcady_.
_Oh, yon's the way to Arcady, To Arcady, to Arcady; Oh, yon's the way to Arcady, Where all the leaves are merry._
_H. C. Bunner._
MY LOVE AND MY HEART
Oh, the days were ever s.h.i.+ny When I ran to meet my love; When I press'd her hand so tiny Through her tiny tiny glove.
Was I very deeply smitten?
Oh, I loved like _anything_!
But my love she is a kitten, And my heart's a ball of string.
She was pleasingly poetic, And she loved my little rhymes; For our tastes were sympathetic, In the old and happy times.
Oh, the ballads I have written, And have taught my love to sing!
But my love she is a kitten, And my heart's a ball of string.
Would she listen to my offer, On my knees I would impart A sincere and ready proffer Of my hand and of my heart.
And below her dainty mitten I would fix a wedding ring-- But my love she is a kitten, And my heart's a ball of string.
Take a warning, happy lover, From the moral that I show; Or too late you may discover What I learn'd a month ago.
We are scratch'd or we are bitten By the pets to whom we cling.
Oh, my love she is a kitten, And my heart's a ball of string.
_Henry S. Leigh._
QUITE BY CHANCE