Volume IV Part 21 (1/2)

Yes, Caesar's--but not in our case.

Let him learn we are waiting before The grave's mouth, the heaven's gate, G.o.d's face With implacable love evermore.

Sleep.

VIII.

He's ours, though he kissed her but now, He's ours, though she kissed in reply: He's ours, though himself disavow, And G.o.d's universe favour the lie; Ours to claim, ours to clasp, ours below, Ours above, ... if we live, if we die.

Sleep.

IX.

Ah baby, my baby, too rough Is my lullaby? What have I said?

Sleep! When I've wept long enough I shall learn to weep softly instead, And piece with some alien stuff My heart to lie smooth for thy head.

Sleep.

X.

Two souls met upon thee, my sweet; Two loves led thee out to the sun: Alas, pretty hands, pretty feet, If the one who remains (only one) Set her grief at thee, turned in a heat To thine enemy,--were it well done?

Sleep.

XI.

May He of the manger stand near And love thee! An infant He came To His own who rejected Him here, But the Magi brought gifts all the same.

_I_ hurry the cross on my Dear!

_My_ gifts are the griefs I declaim!

Sleep.

LORD WALTER'S WIFE.

I.

”But why do you go?” said the lady, while both sat under the yew, And her eyes were alive in their depth, as the kraken beneath the sea-blue.

II.

”Because I fear you,” he answered;--”because you are far too fair, And able to strangle my soul in a mesh of your gold-coloured hair.”

III.

”Oh, that,” she said, ”is no reason! Such knots are quickly undone, And too much beauty, I reckon, is nothing but too much sun.”

IV.

”Yet farewell so,” he answered;--”the sun-stroke's fatal at times.

I value your husband, Lord Walter, whose gallop rings still from the limes.”