The day is fair, the hour is noon, All drench'd with recent rains, the leaves And twinkling diamonds in the grass Yet, blind to each familiar grace, That lonely man sits brooding there, Still huddled in his easy-chair, With memories life will rue. Where bay might crown that honor'd head, A homely crumpled nightcap spread Avows in every dropping line Yet never to those mournful eyes, No token here of studied grief, 'Mid silvery sheen of burnish'd plate, The chill'd and tarnish'd chocolate On snow-white damask stands ; A drowsy bee above the cream Why sits that silent watcher there, He dreams of one who lies above, That mother newly dead; He waits the artist-friend whose skill A reverent sorrow fills the air, William Caldwell TO LA SANSCŒUR I KNOW not how to call you light, Nor can you blame my changing plight I know not which began to range But this I know, the God of Love THE MASTER-CHORD LIKE a musician that with flying finger Startles the voice of some new instrument, And, though he know that in one string are blent All its extremes of sound, yet still doth linger Among the lighter threads, fearing to start The deep soul of that one melodious wire, Lest it, unanswering, dash his high desire, Hoscoe And spoil the hopes of his expectant heart; Thus, with my mistress oft conversing, I Stir every lighter theme with careless voice, Gathering sweet music and celestial joys From the harmonious soul o'er which I fly; Yet o'er the one deep master-chord I hover, And dare not stoop, fearing to tell — I love her. EARTH SAD is my lot; among the shining spheres Wheeling, I weave incessant day and night, And ever, in my never-ending flight, Add woes to woes, and count up tears on tears. Young wives' and new-born infants' hapless biers Lie on my breast, a melancholy sight; But I, the ancient mother, am not wise, William Johnson Corp MIMNERMUS IN CHURCH You promise heavens free from strife, Pure truth, and perfect change of will; But sweet, sweet is this human life, So sweet, I fain would breathe it still; Your chilly stars I can forego, You say there is no substance here, Towards my mark the Dean's talk set: At Sarum; he was pleas'd to see A full glass prefaced my reply: I lov'd his daughter, Honor; I told My estate and prospects; might I try To win her? At my words so bold My sick heart sank. Then he He gave His glad consent, if I could get Her love. A dear, good Girl! she'd have Only three thousand pounds as yet; More by and by. Yes, his good will Should go with me ; he would not stir; He and my father in old time still Our chosen pathway, when it lies That, though his blessing and his pray'r Consent and opportunity. My chance, he hop'd, was good: I'd won They invest their vanities admir'd ; Mine was a choice I could not rue. He ceas'd, and gave his hand. He had won (And all my heart was in my word) From me the affection of a son, Whichever fortune Heaven conferr'd! Well, well, would I take more wine? Then go To her; she makes tea on the lawn These fine warm afternoons. And so We went whither my soul was drawn ; And her light-hearted ignorance Of interest in our discourse Fill'd me with love, and seem'd to enhance Her beauty with pathetic force, As, through the flowery mazes sweet, Fronting the wind that flutter'd blithe, And lov'd her shape, and kiss'd her feet, Shown to their insteps proud and lithe, She approach'd, all mildness and young trust, And ever her chaste and noble air HONORIA'S SURRENDER From little signs, like little stars, Whose faint impression on the sense The very looking straight at mars, Or only seen by confluence; From instinct of a mutual thought, Whence sanctity of manners flow'd; From chance unconscious, and from what I found, and felt with strange alarm, I grew assur'd, before I ask'd, That she'd be mine without reserve, The hope, and make it trebly dear; Till once, through lanes returning late, We paus'd with one presentient mind; And, in the dim and perfum'd mist, Their coming stay'd, who, friends to me, And very women, lov'd to assist Love's timid opportunity. Twice rose, twice died my trembling word; The faint and frail Cathedral chimes Spake time in music, and we heard The chafers rustling in the limes. Her dress, that touch'd me where I stood, The warmth of her confided arm, Her bosom's gentle neighborhood, Her pleasure in her power to charm ; Her look, her love, her form, her touch, The least seem'd most by blissful turn, Blissful but that it pleas'd too much, And taught the wayward soul to yearn. It was as if a harp with wires Was travers'd by the breath I drew ; And, oh, sweet meeting of desires, She, answering, own'd that she lov'd too. Honoria was to be my bride! The hopeless heights of hope were scal'd; The summit won, I paus'd and sigh'd, As if success itself had fail'd. It seem'd as if my lips approach'd To touch at Tantalus' reward, And rashly on Eden life encroach'd, Half-blinded by the flaming sword. The whole world's wealthiest and its best, So fiercely sought, appear'd, when found, Poor in its need to be possess'd, Poor from its very want of bound. My queen was crouching at my side, All melted into tears like snow; Protection as from danger and blame; Her soul, which late I lov'd to invest With pity for my poor desert, Buried its face within my breast, Like a pet fawn by hunters hurt. THE MARRIED LOVER Why, having won her, do I woo? But, spirit-like, eludes embrace; That, as on court-days subjects kiss The Queen's hand, yet so near a touch Affirms no mean familiarness, Nay, rather marks more fair the height Which can with safety so neglect To dread, as lower ladies might, That grace could meet with disrespect, Thus she with happy favor feeds Allegiance from a love so high That thence no false conceit proceeds Of difference bridged, or state put by ; Because, although in act and word As lowly as a wife can be, Her manners, when they call me lord, Remind me 't is by courtesy ; Not with her least consent of will, Which would my proud affection hurt, But by the noble style that still Imputes an unattain❜d desert; Because her gay and lofty brows, When all is won which hope can ask, Reflect a light of hopeless snows That bright in virgin ether bask ; Because, though free of the outer court I am, this Temple keeps its shrine Sacred to Heaven; because, in short, She's not and never can be mine. Feasts satiate; stars distress with height; Friendship means well, but misses reach, And wearies in its best delight Vex'd with the vanities of speech; Too long regarded, roses even Afflict the mind with fond unrest; And to converse direct with Heaven Is oft a labor in the breast; |