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Page 1 of 35

A pomander of ver se.

E. NESBI T

Some of t hese Poems have appear ed i n

The Pal l Mal l Gazet t e, and el sewher e

AMBERGRI S

THE SPI DER QUEEN

I n t he deep hear t of f ur t hest f ai r yl and

Wher e f oot of man has never t r odden yet

The enchant ed por t al s of her pal ace st and,

And t her e her sl eepl ess sent i nel s ar e set .

Al l r ound gr ow f or est s of whi t e egl ant i ne

And dr oopi ng, dr eami ng cl emat i s ; t her e bl ows

The pur pl e ni ght shade ; t her e pal e bi ndweeds

t wi ne

And t her e t he pal e, f r ai l f l ower of sl umber

gr ows.

Her pal aces ar e decked wi t h gl eami ng wi ngs,

Hung o' er wi t h webs t hr ough spaci ous bower

and hal l .

Fi l l ed t hr ough and t hr ough wi t h pr eci ous pr i ce-

l ess t hi ngs ;

She i s t hei r mi st r ess and she hat es t hem al l .

4 A POMANDER OF VERSE

No dar kl i ng webs, woven i n dust and gl oom,

Ador n her pal ace wal l s ; t her e gl eam ast i r

Li ve t hr eads of l i ght , spun f or a f ai r y' s l oom,

And st ol en by her sl aves and br ought t o her .

She wear s a r obe woven of t he Jul y sun.

Mi xed wi t h gr een t hr eads won f r om t he East

at dawn,

Bor der ed wi t h si l ver moonr ays, f i nel y spun,

And gemmed wi t h gl owwor ms f r om some

shadowy l awn.

Page 2 of 35

She wear s a cr own of dewdr ops br i ght Uke t ear s.

Her gi r dl e i s a web of r ai nbow dyes ;

She knows no yout h, nor age; t he hour s and

year s

Leave never a shadow on her l i ps and eyes.

I n magi c r i ngs of gr een and gl i st eni ng l i ght

Her f ai r i es dance, i n st ar - spun r ai ment cl ad.

Her peopl e do her bi ddi ng day and ni ght ,

Her dar k- r obed ser vant s t oi l t o make her gl ad.

Her mi nst r el s pl ay t o her — ^ her si nger s r ai se

Sof t songs, mor e sweet t han man has ever

hear d,

AMBERGRI S 5

Wi t h endl ess r hyt hms of l ove her cour t i er s pr ai se,

And al l t hei r hear t i s i n t hei r ever y wor d.

She i s t he mi st r ess of al l t hi ngs t hat set

Snar e of f i ne webs t o wi n t hei r hear t s' desi r e,

Queen of al l f ol k who weave t he deat h- st r ong net

Bet ween t he poppy and t he wi l d- r ose br i ar .

Yet si t s despai r upon t hat br ow of her s,

And sor r ow i n her eyes makes f est i val ;

The soul of gr i ef wi t h her sad soul conf er s.

And she si t s l onel y i n her cr owded hal l ;

_ Because she has woven a web of her br i ght hai r —

A t ear - br i ght web, t o cat ch one soul ; and he

Behel d her , i n her beaut y, set t he snar e.

And seei ng l aughed, and l aughi ng passed out

f r ee !

A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE GOLDEN EOSE

A POOK l ost pr i ncess, wear y and wor n,

Came over t he down by t he wi nd- washed moor ,

And t he ki ng l ooked out on her gr ace f or l or n.

And he t ook her i n at hi s pal ace door .

He made her queen, he gave her a cr own,

Bi ddi ng her r est and be gl ad and gay

I n hi s gol den t own, wi t h a gol den gown.

And a new gol d l i l y ever y day.

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But t he cr own i s heavy, t he gol d gown gr ay,

And t he queen' s pal e br east i s l i ke aut umn

snows ;

For he br i ngs a gol d l i l y ever y day,

But no ki ng gat her s t he gol den r ose.

One came at l ast t o t he pal ace keep

By wor l ds of wat er and l eagues of l and.

Gr ay wer e hi s gar ment s, hi s eyes wer e deep.

And he hel d t he gol den r ose i n hi s hand.

AMBERGRI S

She l ef t gol d gown, gol d t own, gol d cr own,

And f ol l owed hi m st r ai ght t o a wor l d apar t .

And he l ef t her asl eep on t he wi nd- washed down,

Wi t h t he gol den r ose on her qui et hear t .

A POMANDER OF VERSE

I NSPI RATI ON

I WAHDERED i n t he enchant ed wood,

And as I wander ed t her e, I sang

A song I never under st ood.

Though sweet t he musi c r ang.

I hel d a l i l y whi t e and f ai r ,

I t s per f ume was a song di vi ne,

A song l i ke moonl i ght and cl ear ai r .

No r ose- hued cl oud l i ke mi ne.

Beneat h pal e moon and wi nd- wi nged ski es

My l i ps wer e dumb as one dr ew near ,

Fol ded war m wi ngs acr oss my eyes

And whi sper ed i n my ear .

He l ef t a f l ame- f l ower i n my hand,

And bade me si ng as her et of or e

The song I coul d not under st and ;

But I can si ng no mor e.

Hi s secr et seal s my dumb l i ps f ast .

My My wi t her ed ' neat h hi s wi ng ;

But now I under st and at l ast

The song I used t o si ng.

AMBERGRI S

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FLOWEK OF ALOE

How can I t el l you how I l ove you, dear 1]

Ther e i s no musi c now t he wor l d i s ol d ;

The songs have al l been sung, t he t al es al l t ol d

Br oken t he vows ar e al l t hi s many a year .

Had we but met when al l t he wor l d was new,

When vi r gi n bl ossoms decked unt r odden f i el ds,

I had pl ucked aU t he buds t hat summer yi el ds

And woven a gar l and, wor t hy even of you.

Or had I sung when r hymes wer e yet unwed,

And cr owned t hei r mar r i age i n t he songs I made,

I had l ai d t hem down bef or e you unaf r ai d.

Meet of f er i ng t o your gr ace and goodl i head.

But al l t he dr eams ar e dr eamed, and no new heat

Touches l i f e' s al t ar s, aU t he scent s ar e bur nt ,

The t r ut hs al l t aught and al l t he l essons l ear nt ,

And no new st ar s l ead ki ngs t o ki ss Love' s f eet ;

10 A POMANDER OF VERSE

For now i n t hi s gr ey wor l d, of yout h ber ef t ,

Love has no t hr one, no scept r e and no cr own ;

Hi s gr oves ar e hushed, hi s al t ar s ar e cast down.

And we who wor shi p — we have not hi ng l ef t .

And yet — your l i ps ! The God has bui l t hi m t her e

An al t ar whi ch has known nor f l ower nor f l ame :

Ther e may we bur n t he i ncense t o Love' s name.

Ther e t he i mmor t al vi r gi n r ose be f ai r .

So — si nce my Hps have known but one desi r e.

And al l my f l ower s of l i f e ar e vowed t o you —

For us, at l east , t he ol d wor l d has somet hi ng

new :

For me t he al t ar — and f or you t he f i r e !

AMBERGRI S 11

THE LOST EMBASSY

The l i l i es l ean t o t he whi t e, whi t e r ose,

The sweet l i mes send t o t he bl ossomed t r ees.

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Sof t ki sses bor ne by t he gol den bees —

And al l t he wor l d i s al i ve, awake.

And gl ad t o t he hear t f or t he summer ' s sake.

Fr om her t ower wi ndow t he Pr i ncess l eant ,

Wher e t he whi t e l i ght but t er f l i es came and went ;

She dr opped sof t ki sses by t wos and t hr ees :

" Whi t e but t er f l i es mi ne, wi l l you car r y t hese

To my Pr i nce i n pr i son ? f or t hey, who knows,

May br eak t he spel l t hat has hel d hi m cl ose.

And wake hi m and wi n hi m t o st and up f r ee

And l augh — i n t he sun — wi t h me ! "

Whi t e l i l i es, gol d i n t he gol den sun.

Whi t e Pr i ncess, gol d i n your gol den gown —

Far of f l i es t he sad, enchant ed t own !

Br i ght wi ngs, l i ght wi ngs, whi t e wi ngs t hat t i r e,

Though t hey car r y t he f l ower of t he hear t ' s desi r e-

Wi l l you t r ust t o t hese, t oo whi t e, t oo sl i ght

To br i ng back t he f r ui t of hear t ' s deKght 1

Al l r ound and about t he spel l - bound t own

The ways ar e dust y, t he woods ar e br own ;

12 A POMANDER OF VERSE

Ther e ar e no gr een cover t s, no wel comi ng f l ower s

For Kt t l e wear y but t er f l y wi ngs,

No dew, no l Ui es, no gl ad l i ve t hi ngs.

' Neat h t he sky of st eel and t he br azen sun

Whi t e wi ngs, ki ss- l aden, dr opped one by one :

By t wos and t hr ees t hey dr opped by t he way.

And onl y one r eached t he gr i m, gr ay t ower

Wher e, wi t ched f r om hi s ki ngdom, t he poor Pr i nce

l ay-

One poor t i r ed but t er f l y, smi r ched and gr ay

Wi t h t he dust of t he t own and t he wear y way,

And i t l i t on t he Pr i nce' s hand and di ed.

" Br i ght wi ngs, l i ght wi ngs, whi t e wi ngs, " he cr i ed,

" You, onl y you, mi ght have l i ved and bor ne

My pr ayer t o my l ove i n her t ower f or l or n.

And br ought back t he ki ss t hat coul d set me f r ee-

She mi ght have br oken t he spel l t hat l i es

On my f ool i sh hear t and my f ool i sh eyes —

But no l i ve but t er f l i es come my way ! "

The wi nds ar e col d and t he ski es ar e gr ay,

And aU t he l i l i es di ed yest er day ;

The Pr i ncess l eans f r om her st eel - wr ought t ower

To wat ch f or her but t er f l i es hour by hour .

Poor l i t t l e Pr i ncess, you wat ch i n vai n !

But t er f l i es di e wher e t he gr een wood br owns,

And ki sses sent t o enchant ed t owns

Never come home agai n.

AMBERGRI S 13

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THE GI FT OF THE GODS

" Gi ve me t hy dr eams, " she sai d, and I ,

Wi t h empt y hands and ver y poor ,

Wat ched my f ai r f l ower y vi si ons di e

Upon t he t empl e' s mar bl e f l oor .

" Gi ve j oy, " she sai d. I l et j oy go ;

I saw wi t h col d, uncl ouded eyes

The cr i mson of t he sunset gl ow

Acr oss t he di senchant ed ski es.

" Gi ve me t hy yout h, " she sai d. I gave.

And, sudden- cl ouded, di ed t he sun.

And on t he gr een mound of a gr ave

Fel l t he sl ow r ai ndr ops, one by one.

" Gi ve l ove, " she cr i ed. I gave t hat t oo.

" Gi ve beaut y. " Beaut y si ghed and f l ed ;

For what on ear t h shoul d beaut y do.

When l ove, who was her l i f e, was dead ?

14 A POMANDER OF VERSE

She t ook t he bahn of i nnocent t ear s

To hi ss upon her al t ar - coal ;

She t ook t he hopes of al l my year s,

And, at t he l ast , she t ook my soul .

Wi t h hear t made empt y of del i ght .

And hands t hat hel d no mor e f ai r t hi ngs,

I quest i oned her — " What shal l r equi t e

The savour of my of f er i ngs 1 "

" The Gods, " she sai d, " wi t h gener ous hand

Gi ve guer don f or t hy gi f t s of cost —

Wi sdom i s t hi ne — ^ t o under st and

The wor t h of al l t hat t hou hast l ost ! "

LAVENDER

LULLABY

Sl eep, sl eep, my t r easur e.

The l ong day' s pl easur e

Has t i r ed t he bi r ds, t o t hei r nest s t hey cr eep ;

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The gar den st i l l i s

Al i ght wi t h l i l i es,

But al l t he dai si es ar e f ast asl eep.

Sl eep, sl eep, my dar l i ng.

Dawn wakes t he st ar l i ng.

The spar r ow st i r s when he sees day br eak ;

But al l t he meadow

I s wr apped i n shadow.

And you must sl eep t i l l t he dai si es wake 1

18 A POMANDER OF VEBSE

CHI LD' S SONG I N SPKI NG

The si l ver bi r ch i s a dai nt y l ady,

She wear s a sat i n gown ;

The el m t r ee makes t he ol d chur chyar d shady,

She wi l l not Kve i n t own.

The Engl i sh oak i s a st ur dy f el l ow.

He get s hi s gr een coat l at e ;

The wi l l ow i s smar t i n a sui t of yel l ow,

Whi l e br own t he beech t r ees wai t .

Such a gay gr een gown God gi ves t he l ar ches—

As gr een as He i s good !

The hazel s hol d up t hei r ar ms f or ar ches

When Spr i ng r i des t hr ough t he wood.

The chest nut ' s pr oud, and t he l i l ac' s pr et t y,

The popl ar ' s gent l e and t al l .

But t he pl ane t r ee' s ki nd t o t he poor dul l ci t y -

l ove hi m best of aU !

LAVENDER 19

DKEAM- DEW

Whi t e bi r d of l ove, l i e war m upon my br east ,

Whi t e f l ower of l ove, l i e cool agai nst my f ace !

Teach me t o dr eam agai n a l i t t l e space

Er e t hi s dr eam, t oo, si nk ear t hwar d wi t h t he r est .

Page 8 of 35

Teach me t o dr eam my hear t st i l l pur e as snow,

Teach me t o dr eam my l i ps deser ve t hi s gr ace :

Then l et me wake i n some f or got t en pl ace.

And know you gone, but never see you go.

20 A POMANDER OF VERSE

DAY AND NI GHT

Ni ght , ambushed i n t he dar kl i ng wood,

Wai t ed t o sei ze t he sl eepi ng f i el d,

Hi s sent i nel s t he pi ne t r ees st ood

TUl t he sun f el l beneat h hi s shi el d.

Then when t he day at l ast was dead,

Ni ght , i n hi s mi ght , mar ched conquer i ng.

Acr oss t he l and hi s banner spr ead,

And r ei gned as vi ct or and as Ki ng.

And you and I — al l days apar t

Eej oi ced t o see Ni ght ' s vi ct or y,

Because he has a ki ndl i er hear t

Than Day wear s wi t h hi s sover ei gnt y :

Day keeps us pr i soned cl ose, but Ni ght

Li f t s of i ' Day' s chai ns, and al l ni ght t hr ough

You dr eam of me, my l i f e' s del i ght ,

And al l ni ght t hr ough I dr eam of you.

LAVENDER 21

THE SPELL

Ode boat has dr i f t ed wi t h t he st r eam

That st i r s t he r i ver ' s f ul l sweet bosom,

And now she st ays wher e gol d f l ags gl eam

By meadow- sweet ' s pal e f oam of bl ossom.

Sedge- war bl er s si ng t he sun t he song

The ni ght i ngal e si ngs t o t he shadows ;

For get - me- not s gr ow al l al ong

The f r i nges of t he happy meadows.

See t he wet l i l i es' gol den beads !

The r i ver - nymphs f or neckl ace st r i ng t hem,

And i n t he si ghi ng of t he r eeds

Page 9 of 35

You hear t he song t hei r l over s si ng t hem.

Gol d sun, bl ue ai r , gr een shi mmer i ng l eaves.

The wei r ' s ol d song — t he wood' s ol d st or y —

Such spel l s t he enchant i ng Summer weaves

She hol ds me i n a web of gl or y.

22 A POMANDER OF VERSE

And you — wi t h head agai nst my ar m

And subt l e wi l es t hat seek t o hol d me —

Not even you can add a char m

To t he sweet sor cer i es t hat enf ol d me.

Yet l ean t her e st i U ! The hour i s our s ;

I f we shoul d move t he char m mi ght shi ver

And j oyl ess sun and scent l ess f l ower s

Mi ght mock a di senchant ed r i ver .

LAVENDER 23

SEED- TI ME AND HAEVEST

My hol l yhocks ar e al l awake,

And not a si ngl e r ose i s l ost j

My wal l f l ower s, f or dear pi t y' s sake.

Have f ought t he wi nt er ' s cr uel f r ost ;

Pi nk peony buds begi n t o peer ,

And f l ags push up t hei r swor d- bl ades f i ne :

I know t her e wi l l not be t hi s year

A br i ght er gar den pl ot t han mi ne.

I ' l l sow t he seeds of mi gnonet t e.

Of snapdr agon and sunf l ower s t al l ,

And scar l et poppi es I wi l l set

To f l ower agai nst t he sout her n wal l ;

Al r eady al l my l i l i es show

The gr een cr owns baby l i l i es wear ,

And al l my f l ower s wi l l gr ow and bl ow.

Because Love' s hand has set t hem t her e.

24 A POMANDER OF VERSE

Page 10 of 35

I ' l l pl ant and wat er , sow and weed,

. Ti l l not an i nch of ear t h shows br own.

And t ake a vow of each smal l seed

To gr ow t o gr eenness and r enown :

And t hen some day you' l l pass my way,

See gol d and cr i mson, bel l and st ar ,

And cat ch my gar den' s soul , and say :

" How sweet t hese cot t age gar dens ar e ! "

LAVENDER 25

SUEEENDER

The wi l d wi nd wai l s i n t he popl ar t r ee,

I si t her e al one.

O hear t of my hear t , come hi t her t o me !

Come t o me st r ai ght over l and and sea.

My soul — my own !

Not now — t he cl ock' s sl ow t i ck I hear ,

And not hi ng mor e.

The year i s dyi ng, t he l eaves ar e ser e,

No ghost of t he beaut i f ul young cr owned year

Knocks at my door .

But one of t hese ni ght s, a wi l d, l at e ni ght ,

I , wai t i ng wi t hi n.

Shal l hear your hand on t he l at ch — and spi t e

Of pr udence and f ol l y and wr ong and r i ght ,

I shal l l et you i n.

ROSE

SONG OF THE EOSE

The l i l ac- t i me i s over ,

Labur num' s day i s past ,

The r ed may- bl ossoms cover

The whi t e ones, f al l en t oo f ast .

And guel der - r oses hang l i ke snow,

Wher e: pur pl e f l ag- f l ower s gr ow.

And st i l l t he t ul i p l i nger s,

The wal l - f l ower ' s r ed l i ke bl ood.

Page 11 of 35

The i vy spr eads pal e f l nger s.

The r ose i s i n t he bud.

Good- bye, sweet l i l ac, and sweet may !

The Kose i s on t he way.

You wer e but her al ds sent us —

Al l Apr i l ' s buds, and May' s —

But pai nt ed mi ssal s l ent us

That we mi ght l ear n her pr ai se,

Mi ght cast down ever y bud t hat bl ows

Bef or e our Queen, t he Kose !

30 A POMANDER OF VERSE

MOKNI NG

Dawn i n t he east , and chi l l dew f al l i ng —

Tear s of t he new- bor n day ;

Dew on t he l awn, and bl ackbi r ds cal l i ng,

Musi c and mi l d mi d- May.

The Hac, see, wi ns back t he col our

Lost on t he f i el d of Ni ght ;

See, t he spent st ar s gr ow di mmer , dul l er !

Look f or t h, my l i f e' s del i ght !

Open your wi ndow, l ean above me,

Rose, my whi t e r ose, my song !

Leave your whi t e nest , l ove, i f you l ove me —

Ni ght i s so l onel y- l ong.

Day i s our own, and day' s a- br eaki ng ;

Sweet sl eepy eyes of gr ey.

You shal l not chi de an ear l y waki ng

When Ni ght gr ows ki nd as Day !

ROSE 31

A GARDEN OF GI RLS

Kat e i s l i ke a vi ol et , Ger t r ude' s l i ke a r ose,

Jane i s l i ke a gi l l yf l ower smar t ;

But Laur a' s l i ke a l i l y, t he pur est bud t hat bl ows,

Page 12 of 35

Whose whi t e, whi t e pet al s vei l t he gol den

hear t .

Gi r l s i n t he gar den — one and t wo and t hr ee —

One f or song and one f or pl ay and one — ah, one f or

me!

Gi l l yf l ower s and vi ol et s and r oses f ai r and f i ne,

But onl y one a l i l y, and t hat one l i l y mi ne !

Ber t ha i s a hol l yhock, st at el y, t al l , and f ai r ,

Mabel has t he dai sy' s dai nt y gr ace,

Edi t h has t he gol d of t he sunf l ower on her hai r ,

But Laur a wear s t he l i l y i n her f ace.

Gi r l s i n t he gar den — f i ve and si x and seven —

Thr ee t o t ake, and t hr ee t o gi ve, but one — ah ! one

i s gi ven —

Hol l yhocks and dai si es, and sunf l ower s l i ke t he

sun,

But onl y one a l i l y, and t hat one l i l y won.

32 A POMANDER OP VERSE

MAEGAKET

I KNOW a gar den wher e whi t e l i l i es gr ow,

Under t he gr ey sweet - l aden appl e boughs ;

I t i s a gar den wher e t he r oses bl ow,

And honeysuckl e cover s hal f t he house.

O happy gar den, do you keep t he vows

Br eat hed i n your qui et ear beneat h t he r ose.

Or do you t el l t he t al e t o each sof t wi nd t hat

bl ows 1

Acr oss your gr assy pat hs she used t o st r ay,

She moved among you Kke a l i vi ng f l ower ,

Her beaut y dr ank your beaut y ever y day,

Your beaut y decked her beaut y ever y hour .

You gave her r ose and l i l y f or a dower .

Wi t h aU sweet f l ower s and f r ui t s your bosom

bor e —

She t ook t hem al l — and now she comes not any

mor e.

ROSE 33

O gar den, i f you br eat he such secr et t hi ngs

To t he sout h wi nd who l oves you, t el l hi m t hi s :

Page 13 of 35

To spr ead t he scent ed sof t ness of hi s wi ngs,

And seek t hat ot her gar den wher e she i s,

And bi d hi m bear no bl ossom and no ki ss ;

Onl y, dear gar den, t el l t he wi nd t o say

How gr ey t he wor l d i s gr own si nce Mar gar et went

34 A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE GLOW- WOEM TO HEE LOVE

Beneat h cool f er ns, i n dewy gr ass,

Among t he l eaves t hat f r i nge t he st r eam,

I hear t he f eet of l over s pass,

— I hi de al l day, and dr eam.

But when t he ni ght , wi t h wi de sof t wi ngs.

Dr oops on t he t r embl i ng wai t i ng wood.

And l uUs t he r est l ess woodl and t hi ngs

Wi t hi n i t s sol i t ude.

Ah, t hen my sof t gr een l amp I l i ght .

That t hou may' st f i nd me by i t s f i r e —

Come, cr own me, O my wi nged del i ght ,

My dar l i ng, my desi r e.

Yet t hey who pr ai se t he l amp I bear

Have never a wor d of pr ai se f or t hee.

My l ove, my l i f e, my Ki ng of Ai r ,

Who l i ght est t he l amp i n me.

ROSE 35

Thi ne, t hi ne shoul d be t he pr ai se t hey gi ve

My Ki ng, who ar t al l pr ai se above,

Si nce but f or t hee I dr eam and l i ve,

And l i ght t he l amp of l ove.

36 A POMANDER OF VERSE

I N SANCTUARY

The young Spr i ng ai r was st r ong l i ke wi ne,

The sky r ef l ect ed i n your eyes

Was of a bl ue as deep- di vi ne

As ever gl owed i n sout her n ski es.

Page 14 of 35

We passed f r om out t he sunny l ane

I nt o t he gr een wood' s shadowi ng ;

And, sudden, al l Love' s wor ds seemed vai n

I n t hat cal m t empl e of t he Spr i ng.

Our god hear s f ai r and t unef ul wor ds,

And spl endi d f l ower s hi s al t ar s bear ;

Wi t h chor i c song of l eaves and bi r ds.

Anot her god was wor shi pped t her e.

Si l ent , we passed t he woodl and, t hr ough

The col our ed maze t hat Spr i ngt i me weaves-

The l i ght l eaves danci ng t o t he bl ue,

The sunl i ght danci ng t o t he l eaves ;

ROSE 37

I coul d not speak. I t ouched your hand

At t he gr een ar ch t hat ends t he wood :

" Ah — i f she shoul d not under st and ! "

Ah — i f you had not under st ood !

38 A POMANDER OF VERSE

I N THE EOSE GAEDEN

Eed r oses br i ght , pi nk r oses and whi t e

That bud and bl ossom and f al l ;

The ver y si ght of my hear t ' s del i ght

I s mor e t han wor t h t hem al l !

I s wor t h f ar mor e t han t he whol e sweet st or e

That ever a gar den gr ew —

She pl ucked t he best t o di e at her br east ,

But i t l aughed and i t bl oomed anew !

The r ed r ose l ay at her l i ps t o- day,

And f l ushed wi t h t he j oy t her eof ;

She sai d a wor d t hat t he whi t e r ose hear d,

And t he whi t e r ose pal ed wi t h l ove.

But t he west wi nd bl ows, and my l ady goes,

And she l eaves t he wor l d f or l or n ;

And ever y r ose t hat t he gar den gr ows.

Mi ght j ust as wel l be a t hor n !

Page 15 of 35

ROSEMARY

A SONG OF PAETI NGS

DEDI CATI ON

Qt t een of my Li f e, who gave me f or my song

The r i chest cr own a poet ever wor e,

Si nce I have gi ven you songs a whol e year l ong,

St oop, of your gr ace, and t ake t hi s one song

mor e.

I t was upon a gol den f i r st June day

I chanced t o t ake t he qui et meadow way,

The f l ower s and gr asses met acr oss my f eet —

Red sor r el , dai si es, and pal e meadow- sweet .

Wi t h but t er cup t hat set t he f i el d abl aze —

The f i el ds have no such f l ower s now- a- days —

The hedges al l al ong wer e pear l y whi t e ;

And t her e I met wi t h Chl or i s, al l al one,

I dr ew her f ace t o l ean agai nst my own.

The br anch of May t hat hi d her mai den eyes

42 A POMANDER OF VERSE

Was scent ed l i ke t he r ose of Par adi se —

The May- bough f el l : I knew what yout h was

wor t h,

And sunshi ne and t he pl easant gr een- gowned ear t h.

When f i r st l ove r hymed t o summer and del i ght .

" i et , si nce my shi p must sai l away t hat day,

Despai r new- bom met new- bor n j oy hal f - way.

And I , ' mi d r apt ur e and t ear s, f ound voi ce t o say,

" Far ewel l — my Love — t o l eave you i s t o di e,

I never shal l f or get you, dear ! — Good- bye ! "

I I

At par t i ng f r om Cl ar i nda l i f e was gr ay,

Wi t h t he col d haze of mut ual wear i ness ;

The t r easur e our soul s wer e bar t er ed t o possess,

We saw as ashes i n t he col d new day,

And onl y l onged f or l eave t o st eal away

And wash r emembr ance f r om our t i r ed eyes.

To cl eanse our l i ps of ki sses and of l i es,

And t o f or get t he bar r en f ai r y gol d

Page 16 of 35

For whi ch we had j our neyed such a wear y r oad.

Had bor ne so har d a chai n, so gr eat a l oad,

Yet none t he l ess was t he ol d st or y t ol d ;

The ol d r ef r ai n r e- i t er at e none t he l ess,

" My l i f e' s one l ove, " we sai d, wi t h si gh f or si gh,

" I never can f or get you, dear ! — Good- bye ! "

ROSEMARY 43

i n

You wer e so i nnocent , so sur e, so shy.

Li f e was a char t wel l - mar ked f or you, you knew-

Wi t h r ocks and qui cksands pl ai nl y set i n vi ew,

And, f i t l y beaconed by a heavenl y st ar .

The por t you sought mar ked unmi st akeabl y.

At t ai nabl e, and not so ver y f ar .

So of your char i t y you chose t o t r y

To t ake a pi r at e bar k t o haven wi t h you.

Ah ! chi l d, I had l ear ned t o st eer on ot her seas.

Thr ough ot her shoal s — by ot her st ar s t han t hese.

My char t had ot her por t s you knew not of .

And so, one day, my bl ack sai l s t ook t he br eeze.

And, er e you knew i t , I was l eagues away :

Yet not so f ar but you coul d hear me cr y

Acr oss t he wat er s of your shel t er ed bay —

" Far eweU, my chi l d ! Far ewel l , my onl y l ove !

I never can f or get you, dear ! — Good- bye ! "

I V

When I had cour t ed Chl oe hal f a year

Page 17 of 35

She bade me go — she coul d not hol d me dear .

We par t ed i n t he or char d, ver y l at e :

The dew l ay on t he whi t e sweet cl over f l ower s.

44 A POMANDER OF VERSE

The moon shone t hr ough t he pear - t r ee by t he gat e,

And on t he gr ass t he bl ossoms f el l i n shower s.

" Pr ay Heaven, " I cr i ed, " t o bl ess you — none t he

l ess

That you have cur sed my l i f e et er nal l y ! "

She l aughed — my pr et t y chi na shepher dess.

Ki ssed her whi t e hand t owar ds t he whi t e f ul l moon.

" Up t her e, " she sai d, " t he f ol k who say f ar ewel l

Never i nt one i t t o a f uner al bel l ,

But si ng i t t o t he sweet ol d- f ashi oned t une !

Go t her e and l ear n ! " — " I have l ear ned t hat t une, "

quot h I ,

" ' I never can f or get you, dear ! — Gk) od- bye ! ' "

I n t hat f ar l and wher e myr t l es dr eam of l ove.

Wher e sof t wi nds whi sper t hr ough t he or ange

gr ove ;

And, ' t wi xt t he sapphi r e of t he seas and ski es.

The sunshi ne of per pet ual summer l i es,

I br ought whi t e f l ower s t o l i e wher e Cl emence l ay.

The shut t er s, cl osed, st r ove wi t h t he r adi ant day,

And i n her vi l l a al l was st i l l and chi l l .

Fl ower s di e, t hey say, but t hese f l ower s never wUl , —

Whenever I see a r ose I smel l t hem st i l l ;

ROSEMARY 45

I l ai d t hem by her on t he st r ai t whi t e bed :

Ther e wer e no ki sses gi ven, no t ear s wer e shed,

And never a whi sper of f ar ewel l was sai d ;

Yet , when t hey had l ai d her under neat h t he cl ay.

And pai d t hei r pr ayer s and t ear s, and gone t hei r

way,

My hear t st i r r ed, and I f ound t he ol d wor d t o say —

Thi s t i me — ^ t hi s one t i me— and t hi s l ast t i me —

t r ue :

" Whi t e l ady, my whi t e f l ower s t ouch you wher e

you l i e,

I never shal l f or get you 1 Dear , good- bye ! "

Page 18 of 35

Envoy.

Queen of my l i f e, and of t he songs I si ng.

Whose l ove set s l i f e t o such a r oyal t une ;

Thi s song of par t i ng t o your hands I br i ng.

As I br i ng honour and f ai t h and ever yt hi ng :

Because I know our par t i ng shal l be soon —

Si nce vi ol et s har dl y l i ve one happy moon.

And l ove, f ul l - f l edged, i s r eady t o t ake wi ng ;

But , when he f l i es, par t we t he si l ent way,

And, i f you ever l oved me, do not say :

" Far ewel l , my onl y l ove — I l ove you st i U,

I never wi l l f or get you ! " — For you wi l l !

46 A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE GHOST

Now t hat t he cur t ai ns ar e dr awn cl ose,

Now t hat t he f i r e bur ns l ow,

And on her nar r ow bed t he r ose

I s st ar k l ai d out i n snow ;

Now t hat t he wi nd of wi nt er bl ows

Bi d my hear t say i f st i l l i t knows

The st ep i t used t o know.

I hear t he si l ken gown you wear

Sweep on t he gal l er y f l oor .

Your st ep comes up t he wi de, dar k st ai r

And pauses at my door .

My hear t wi t h t he ol d hope f l ower s f ai r -

That shr i vel s t o t he ol d despai r ,

For you come i n no mor e !

ROSEMARY 47

THE WAY OF THE WOOD

Wheee baby oaks pl ay i n t he br eeze

Among wood- sor r el and f r i nged f er n,

Thr ough t he gr een gar ment s of t he t r ees

The qui ver i ng shaf t s of sunl i ght bur n,

And al l al ong t he - wet gr een r i de,

The dr i ppi ng hazel - boughs bet ween.

The spot t ed or chi s, st i f f wi t h pr i de.

St ands guar d bef or e t he egl ant i ne.

Page 19 of 35

Sweet chest nut s dr oop t hei r l ong, shar p l eaves

By knot t ed t r ee r oot s, mossed and br own.

Round whi ch t he honeysuckl e weaves

I t s scent ed gol den wi l d- wood cr own.

O wood, l ast year you saw us meet .

For her your l eaves and buds wer e gay,

Your moss spr ead vel vet f or her f eet .

Your f l ower s upon her bosom l ay.

Thi s year you wear your r ai ment br i ght .

As f ai r as ever yet you wor e.

And, none t he l ess, t he wor l d' s del i ght

Wal ks i n your ways no mor e, no mor e.

48 A POMANDER OP VERSE

QTJI ETA NE MOVETE

Deae, i f I t ol d you, made your sor r ow cer t ai n,

Showed you t he ghost s t hat o' er my pi l l ow l ean,

What j oy wer e mi ne — t o cast asi de t he cur t ai n

And cl asp you cl ose wi t h no base l i es bet ween !

You have gi ven al l , and st i l l woul d f i nd t o gi ve

me

Mor e l ove, mor e t ender ness t han ever yet :

You woul d f or gi ve me — ah, you woul d f or gi ve me,

But al l your l i f e you never woul d f or get .

And I , t hank God, can st i l l i n your embr aces

For get t he past , wi t h al l i t s st r i f e and st ai n,

— But i f you, t oo, behel d t he evU f aces,

I shoul d f or get t hem never , never agai n !

ROSEMARY 49

ENVOYS

Beown l eaves f or get t he gr een of May,

The ear t h f or get s t he ki ss of Spr i ng ;

And down our happy woodl and way

Gr ay mi st s go wander i ng.

You. have f or got t en t oo, t hey say ;

Yet , does no st eal t hy memor y cr eep

Page 20 of 35

Among t he mi st wr eat hs, ghost l y gr ay.

Wher e spel l - bound vi ol et s sl eep ?

Ah, send your t hought somet i mes t o st r ay

By pat hs t hat knew our l i nger i ng f eet .

My t hought wal ks t her e t hi s many a day,

And t hey, at l east , may meet .

50 A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE GAKDEN

Choked wi t h i l l weeds my gar den l ay a- dyi ng,

Har d was t he gr ound, no bud had hear t t o bl ow,

Yet shone your smi l e t her e, wi t h your sof t br eat h

si ghi ng :

" Have pat i ence, f or some day t he f l ower s wi l l

gr ow. "

Some, weeds you ki Ued, you made a pl ot and t i Ued

i t ;

" My pl ot , " you sai d, " r i ch har vest yet shal l

gi ve, "

Wi t h sun- war med seeds of hope your dear hands

f i Ued i t .

Wi t h r ai n- sof t t ear s of pi t y bade t hem l i ve.

So, weak among t he weeds t hat had wi t hst ood

you.

One l i t t l e pur e whi t e f l ower gr ew by- and- by ;

You coul d not pl uck my f l ower — al as ! how shoul d

you?

You sowed t he seed, but l et t he bl ossom di e.

ROSEMARY 51

THROUGH THE WOOD

Theough t he wood, t he gr een - wood, t he wet wood,

t he l i ght wood,

Love and I went mayi ng a t housand l i ves ago ;

Shaf t s of gol den sunl i ght had made a gol den br i ght

wood

I n my hear t r ef l ect ed, because I l oved you so.

Thr ough t he wood, t he chi l l wood, t he br own wood,

t he bar e wood,

I al one went l onel y no l at er t han l ast year ,

What had t hi nned t he br anches, and wr ecked my

dear and f ai r wood.

Ki l l ed t he pal e wi l d r oses and l ef t t he r ose-

t hor ns ser e ?

Page 21 of 35

Thr ough t he wood, t he dead wood, t he sad wood,

t he l one wood,

Wi nds of wi nt er shi ver t hr ough l i chens ol d and

gr ey.

You r i de past f or get t i ng t he wood t hat was our

own wood.

Al l our own — and wi t her ed as ever a f l ower of

May.

52 A POMANDER OF VERSE

A KENTI SH GAEDEN

Ther e i s a gr ey- wal l ed gar den, f ar away

Fr om noi se and smoke of ci t i es, wher e t he hour s

Pass wi t h sof t wi ngs among t he happy f l ower s.

And l ovel y l ei sur e bl ossoms ever y day.

Ther e, t al l and whi t e, t he scept r al l i l y bl ows ;

Ther e gr ow t he pansy, pi nk, and col umbi ne,

Br ave hol l yhocks, and st ar - whi t e j essami ne,

And t he r ed gl or y of t he r oyal r ose.

Ther e gr eeny gl ow- wor ms gem t he dusky l awn,

The l i me- t r ees br eat he t hei r f r agr ance t o t he

ni ght .

Pi nk r oses sl eep, and dr eam t hat t hey ar e

whi t e,

Unt i l t hey wake t o col our wi t h t he dawn.

Ther e, i n t he spl endour of t he sul t r y noon,

The sunshi ne sl eeps upon t he gar den bed

Wher e t he whi t e poppy dr oops a dr owsy head

And dr eams of ki sses f r om t he whi t e f ul l moon.

ROSEMARY 53

And t her e, some days, al l wi l d wi t h wi nd and

r ai n,

The t ossed t r ees show t he whi t e si de of t hei r

l eaves,

Whi l e t he gr eat dr ops dr i p f r om t he i vi ed

eaves,

And bi r ds ar e st i l l — t i l l t he sun shi nes agai n.

And t her e, al l days, my hear t goes wander i ng.

Because t her e, f i r st , my hear t began t o know

The gl or i es of t he summer and t he snow,

The l ovel i ness of har vest and of spr i ng.

Ther e may be f ai r er gar dens ; but I know

Ther e i s no ot her gar den hal f so dear ;

Page 22 of 35

Because ' t i s t her e, t hi s many, many a year .

The sacr ed, sweet , whi t e f l ower s of memor y gr ow !

MYRRH

THE PAST

Make st r ong your door wi t h bol t and bar ,

Make ever y wi ndow f ast ;

St r ong br ass and i r on as t hey ar e,

They ar e so easy passed —

So easy br oken and cast asi de,

And by t he open door

My f oot st eps come t o your guar ded home.

And pass away no mor e.

I n t he gol den noon — by t he l over s' moon.

My shadow bar s your way,

My shr oud shows whi t e i n t he bl ackest ni ght

And gr ey i n t he gl addest day.

And by your boar d and by your bed

Ther e i s a pl ace f or me,

And i n t he gl ow when t he coal s bur n l ow.

My f ace i s t he f ace ye see.

8 A POMANDER OF VERSE

I c ome bet ween

v r hen y e l augh and l ean,

I bur n i n t he t ear s y e weep :

I am t her e when y e wak e i n t he gr ay day - br eak

Fr om t he gol d of a l ov er s ' s l eep.

I wi t her t he r os e and I s poU t he s ong,

And Deat h i s not s t r ong t o s av e —

For I s hal l c r eep whi l e y our mour ner s weep,

And wai t f or y ou i n y our gr av e.

MYRRH 50

THE BETTER PART

Page 23 of 35

Theee' s a gr ey ol d c hur c h on a wi nd- s wept hi l l

Wher e t hr ee bent y ew t r ees c ower ,

The gi ps y r os es gr ow t her e s t i l l ,

And t he t hy me and Sai nt J ohn' s gol d f l ower ,

The pal e bl ue v i ol et s t hat l ov e t he c hal k

Cl i ng l i ght r ound t he l i c hened s t one,

And s t ar l i ngs c hat t er and gr ey owl s t al k

I n t he bel f r y o' ni ght s al one.

I t ' s a t hous and l eagues and a t hous and y ear s

Fr om t he br i c k - bui l t , gas - l i t t own

To t he l i t t l e c hur c h wher e t he wi l d t hy me hear s

The bees and t he br eez e of t he down.

The t own i s c r owded and har d and r ough ;

Let t hos e f i ght i n i t s pr es s who wi l l

—

But t he l i t t l e c hur c hy ar d i s qui et enough,

And t her e' s r oom i n t he c hur c hy ar d s t i l l .

60 A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE GKAY FOLK

The hous e, wi t h bl i nd unhappy f ac e,

St ands l onel y i n t he l as t y ear ' s c or n,

And i n t he gr ay nes s of t he mor n

The gr ay f ol k c ome about t he pl ac e.

By many pat hway s , gl i di ng gr ay

They c ome pas t meadow, wood, and wol d.

Come by t he f ar m and by t he f ol d

Fr om t he gr een f i el ds of y es t er day .

Pas t l oc k and c hai n and bol t and bar

They pr es s , t o s t and about my bed,

And l i k e t he f ac es of t he dead

I k now t hei r hi dden f ac es ar e.

They wi l l not l eav e me i n t he day

And when ni ght f al l s t hey wi l l not go.

Bec aus e I s Uenc ed, l ong ago.

The onl y v oi c e t hat t hey obey .

i . T

X XVXVO.

Page 24 of 35

THE TEEASUEE

Under our l ead we l i e

Whi l e t he s un and t he s now go by ,

And our s hr ouds l i e c l os e, Ue c l os e.

Li k e t he l eav es of a s hut whi t e r os e

That k nows not what s ummer k nows

Bef or e i t i s t i me t o di e.

You, i n t he s un, up t her e

Wher e t he wi l d t hy me s c ent s t he ai r ;

I s i t war m s t i l l

— and s weet and gay

Up t her e i n t he wi de bl ue day 1

Do y ou pi t y us , s hut away

Fr om t he f i el ds wher e t he f l ower s ar e f ai r 1

Pi t y us her e ? s hut i n

I n t he dar k , wher e t he f l ower s begi n ?

The c oi ns l i e l i ght on our ey es .

I n our empt y hands i s t he pr i z e.

The t r eas ur e t hat f ool s and wi s e

Ar e br eak i ng t hei r hear t s t o wi n !

62 A POMAKDER OF VERSE

NEW YEAR SNOW

The whi t e s now f al l s on hi l l and dal e,

The s now f al l s whi t e by s quar e and s t r eet ,

Fal l s on t he t own, a br i dal v ei l ,

And on t he f i el ds a wi ndi ng- s heet .

A wi ndi ng- s heet f or l as t y ear ' s f l ower s .

For l as t y ear ' s l ov e, and l as t y ear ' s t ear ,

A br i dal v ei l f or t he New Hour s ,

For t he New Lov e and t he New Year .

Sof t s now, s pr ead out hi s wi ndi ng- s heet !

Spi n f i ne her v ei l , O br i dal s now !

Cov er t he pr i nt of her danc i ng f eet ,

And t he pl ac e wher e he l i es l ow.

MYRRH 63

LOVE' S GUERDONS

Page 25 of 35

Dear es t , i f I al mos t c eas e t o weep f or y ou,

Do not doubt I l ov e y ou j us t t he s ame ;

' Ti s bec aus e my l i f e has gr own t o k eep f or y ou

Al l t he hour s t hat s or r ow does not c l ai m.

Al l t he hour s when I may s t eal away t o y ou,

Wher e y ou l i e al one t hr ough t he l ong day ,

Lean my f ac e agai ns t y our t ur f and s ay t o y ou

Al l t hat t her e i s no one el s e t o s ay .

Do t hey l et y ou l i s t en — do y ou l ean t o me 1

Know now what i n l i f e y ou nev er k new.

When I whi s per aU t hat y ou hav e been t o me,

Al l t hat I mi ght nev er be t o y ou 1

Dear , l i e s t Ul . No t ear s but mi ne ar e s hed f or y ou.

No one el s e l eav es k i s s es day by day .

No one' s hear t but mi ne has beat and bl ed f or y ou,

No one el s e' s f l ower s pus h mi ne away .

64 A POMANDER OF VERSE

No one el s e r emember s — do not c al l t o her ,

Not al one s he t r eads t he c hur c hy ar d gr as s ;

You ar e not hi ng now who onc e wer e al l t o her ,

Do not c al l her — l et t he s t r anger s pas s !

MUSK

m

I NDI SCKETI ON

Eed t ul i p- buds l as t ni ght c ar es s ed

The s ac r ed i v or y of her br eas t .

She met me, eager t o di v i ne

What gol d- hear t bud of hope was mi ne.

Nor ey es nor l i ps wer e s t r ong t o par t

The c l os e- c ur l ed pet al s r ound my hear t ;

The j oy I k new no monar c h k nows ,

Yet not a pet al woul d unc l os e.

But , ah !

— t he t ul i p- buds , unwi s e,

War med wi t h t he s uns hi ne of her ey es ,

And by her s of t br eat h gl or i f i ed.

Went mad wi t h l ov e and opened wi de.

Page 26 of 35

She saw t hei r hear t s, al l gol den- gay.

Laughed, f r owned, and f l ung t he f l ower s away.

Poor f l ower s, i n Heaven as you wer e.

Why di d you show your hear t s t o her ?

A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE I NVI TATI ON

Del i a, my dear , del i ght f ul Lady,

Ti me f l i es i n t own, you say.

New gowns shi ne f r esh as May,

The Par k i s gl ad and gay.

Ah — but t he woods ar e gr een and shady —

Come, Del i a, come away !

The cr own your kneel i ng sl aves awar d you

I s beaut y' s r oyal r i ght ;

Tour beaut y, Del i a, mi ght

Wi n cr owns mor e sweet , mor e br i ght :

Your ni ggar d wor l d wi l l not af f or d you

The cr own of Hear t ' s del i ght .

Sabl e your cour t wi l l wear — t o l ose you ;

My gar den' s dr essed i n gr een.

Such buds i t s l eaves bet ween

As never yet wer e seen ;

Ther e i s no f l ower i t can r ef use you —

Come t o your Ki ng, my Queen !

MUSK

TO ONE WHO BADE HI M WOEK

Each day Wor k bi ds my hear t anew,

Fol d wi ngs and wat ch my br ai n at pl ay ;

But br ai n and hear t wi l l f l y your way,

And f i nd t hei r nat ur al home i n you !

Come t o me — ' t i s t he onl y way !

For hear t and br ai n have had t o l ear n

Such car r i er - pi geon f eat s of f l i ght ,

Page 27 of 35

That wer e you her e, my hear t ' s del i ght .

My br ai n and hear t t o Wor k woul d t ur n,

Spr ead wi ngs, and f l ut t er f r om your si ght .

70 A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE CLAI M

Oh ! I admi t I ' m duU and poor ,

And pl ai n and gl oomy, as you t el l me ;

And dozens f l ock ar ound your door

Who i n al l poi nt s but one excel me.

You smi l e on t hem, on me you f r own.

They wor shi p f or t he wage you pay ;

I l ay l i f e, l ove, and honour down

For you t o wal k on ever y day.

I am t he onl y one who sees

That t hough such gi f t s can never move

you,

A meagr e pr i ce ar e gi f t s l i ke t hese

For l i f e' s hi gh pr i vi l ege — ^ t o l ove you.

I am t he one among your t r ai n

Who sees t hat l ovi ng you i s wor t h

A t housand t i mes t he cer t ai n gai n

Of aU t he heaped- up j oys of ear t h.

MUSK 71

And you, who know as wel l as I ,

What your gl ass t el l s you ever y mor ni ng —

A ki ndr ed soul you shoul d descr y,

Di l ut e wi t h sympat hy your scor ni ng.

At l east you shoul d appr ove t he i nt ense

Love t hat gi ves al l f or you t o wast e ;

Your ot her l over s have mor e sense.

Admi t t hat I have bet t er t ast e.

72 A POMANDER OP VERSE

TO HI S LADY

( Who asked a Song i n Spr i ng)

Page 28 of 35

Why do you bi d your poet si ng,

Who has no mi nd t o song —

Who onl y want s t o see t he Spr i ng,

Long sought and t ar r yi ng l ong ?

The shi ver i ng, dr ear y wi nt er t hr ough

My song enshr i ned my vow ;

I f t hen my songs wer e sweet t o you,

Let me be si l ent now !

Have I not dul y sung, my dear ,

Your goodness and your gr ace ?

Now t hat your r i val . Spr i ng, i s her e,

O l et me see her f ace !

The hedge i s whi t e wi t h buds of May,

The f i el ds ar e gr een wi t h Spr i ng,

Oh, gi ve your bar d a hol i day :

He does not want t o si ng !

MUSK 73

He want s t o l i st en ; al l al one,

He want s t o st eal away

To hear t he r i ng- doves' t ender t one,

And what t he t hr ushes say.

He want s t o hear what can' t be hear d

When you and l ove ar e near —

The sweet Spr i ng' s sof t and secr et wor d ;

Oh, l et hi m go, my dear !

74 A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE CHAEM

Li ke cr i mson l amps t he t ul i ps swi ng,

The Ul y f l ower s t hei r i ncense br i ng,

The dai si es vot i ve gar l ands f l i ng

Bef or e t he al t ar of t he Spr i ng.

And you and I i n t hi s gr een May,

When t hr ushes si ng, and whi t e l ambs pl ay.

Go gl ad at hear t — so gl ad and gay,

No wor d seems good enough t o say.

Yet t her e' s a char m, i t woul d appear .

Whi ch, i f I spoke i t i n your ear ,

Page 29 of 35

Woul d f i x t he spr i ng f or ^ er her e ;

Pass on — I wi l l not speak i t , dear .

MUSK 75

DEFEKKED

Not now,

when s k i es ar e gol d and bl ue

And y ou hav e me and I hav e y ou,

When t her e ar e r os es al l t he way ,

And Apr i l day s and ni ght s of May ,

And l i f e i s j oy t he whol e day l ong —

Not now c an pas s i on f l ower i n s ong.

But i n. t he dar k day s by - and- by .

When, deep di v i ded, y ou and I ,

Shi v er i ng among t he r os e- t hor ns bar e.

At l as t c onf es s what f ool s we wer e ;

Then, neat l y wi r ed, a nos egay f i ne

Shal l dec k y our hear t

— O hear t of mi ne !

76 A POMANDER OF VERSE

SPKI NG SONG

Al l wi nt er t hr ough 1 s at al one,

Door s bar r ed and

wi ndows s hut t er ed f as t ,

And l i s t ened t o t he wi nd' s f ai nt moan.

And ghos t l y mut t er i ngs of t he pas t ;

And i n t he paus es of t he r ai n,

' Mi d whi s per s of dead s or r ow and s i n.

Lov e t apped upon t he wi ndow pane :

I had no hear t t o l et hi m i n.

But now, wi t h s pr i ng, my door s s t and wi de ;

My wi ndows l et del i ght c r eep t hr ough ;

I hear t he s k y l ar k s i ng out s i de ;

I s ee t he c r oc us , gol den new.

The pi geons on my wi adow- s Ul ,

Wi ngi ng and wooi ng, f l i r t and f l out ,

—

Now Lov e mus t ent er i f he wi l l ,

I hav e no hear t t o k eep hi m out .

BERGAMOT

Page 30 of 35

VI LLEGGI ATUKE

My wi ndow, f r amed i n pear - t r ee bl oom,

Whi t e- c ur t ai ned s hone, and s of t l y l i ght ed :

So, by t he pear - t r ee, t o my r oom

YoTi r ghos t l as t ni ght c l i mbed uni nv i t ed.

Your s ol i d s el f , l ong l eagues away .

Deep i n duU book s , had har dl y mi s s ed me ;

And y et y ou f ound t hi s Romeo' s way ,

And t hr ough t he bl os s om c l i mbed and k i s s ed

me.

I wat c hed t he s t Ul and dewy l awn,

The pear - t r ee boughs hung whi t e abov e y ou ;

I l i s t ened t o y ou t i l l t he dawn,

And hal f f or got I di d not l ov e y ou.

Oh, dear ! what pr et t y t hi ngs y ou s ai d,

What pear l s of s ong y ou t hr eaded f or me !

I di d not

— t i l l y our ghos t had f l ed —

Remember how y ou al way s bor e me !

A POMANDER OF VERSE

TOWN AND COUNTKY

The Sun t el l s t o Tr af al gar Squar e

Hi s ol d and r adi ant s t or y ,

And t ouc hes i n t he y oung s pr i ng ai r

The pepper - pot s t o gl or y .

Spr i ng' s r obe down Pi c c adi l l y f l oat s ,

The par k s gl ow wi t h her t r eas ur e,

And but t on- hol es of mor ni ng c oat s

Rhy me wi t h her r oy al pl eas ur e.

Now per s ons beaut i f ul l y dr es s ed

I n Bond- s t r eet s hop and s aunt er .

And t own — ^ by Spr i ng' s s of t br eat h c ar es s ed-

Woul d as i t s mi s t r es s v aunt her .

But f ar away f r om s quar e and s t r eet .

Wher e wi l l ows s hi ne and s hi v er ,

The s pl endour of her s i l v er f eet

I s on t he wood and r i v er .

She l aughs among t he t r ee- r oot s br own,

Page 31 of 35

Among t he dewy cl over .

For Spr i ng coquet s but wi t h t he t own ;

The count r y i s her l over .

BBRGAMOT 81

REJECTED

We wander ed down t he meadow way —

The pat h besi de t he hedge i s shady, —

YoTi di d not see t he sUver may,

You t al ked of Ar t , my sweet bl i nd Lady.

You t al ked of val ues and of t one,

Of squar e t ouch and New EngKsh cr azes ;

Coul d you not see we wer e al one,

Wher e God' s hand pai nt s t he wor l d wi t h

dai si es ?

You spoke of Par i s and of Rome

And i n t he hedger ow' s t hor ny shadows

A whi t e- t hr oat sang a song of home.

Of Engl i sh l anes and Engl i sh meadows.

You t al ked about t he ai ms of Ar t

And how aU Ar t must needs be mor al ;

I hear d you wi t h a si nki ng hear t

And wat ched t he wavi ng cr i mson sor r el .

For when I f ound you had not hear d

The song — nor seen t he dewy cl over ,

I car ed no mor e t o f i nd t he wor d

Shoul d make you hear and see a l over !

F

82 A POMANDER OF VERSE

COMPENSATI ON

Lady, I see you ever y day —

Mor e t han your ot her l over s do ;

I si t besi de you at t he Pl ay,

And i n t he Par k I r i de wi t h you.

Thr ough pi ct ur e shows wi t h you I r oam

Wi t h you I shop and dance and di ne ;

I know t he hour s when you' r e " at home '

Page 32 of 35

To no one el se' s knock but mi ne.

And yet so near and yet so f ar ,

I scar ce dar e l ook at you, f or f ear

I shoul d r emar k, " How sweet you ar e.

How char mi ng, and how ver y dear ! "

I dar e not t ouch t hat hand of your s,

Or l end my voi ce a t ender t one ;

I know my st at e of gr ace endur es

By f ast i ng and by pr ayer al one.

But , i n my l onel y dr eaml i t ni ght s,

I ki ss your hands, your Hps, your eyes ;

For absence gr ant s me al l t he r i ght s

Your pr esence ever mor e deni es.

BBRGAMOT 83

THE LAST DI TCH

Love, t hr ough your var i ed vi ews on Ar t

Unt i r i ng have I f ol l owed you,

Cont ent t o know I had your hear t

And was your Ar t - i deal , t oo.

As, dear , I was when f i r st we met .

( ' Twas at t he t i me you wor shi pped Lei ght on,

And wer e at t empt i ng t o f or get

Your Fost er and your Noel Pat on. )

" Love r hymes wi t h Ar t , " sai d your dear voi ce.

And, at my cr ude, uncul t ur ed age,

I coul d but bl ushi ngl y r ej oi ce

That you had passed t he Rubens st age.

When Madox Br own and Mor r i s swayed

Your t ast e, di d I not dr ess and l ook

Li ke any Mi ddl e Ages mai d

I n an i l l umi nat ed book 1

I wor e st r ange gar ment s, wi t hout shame,

Of f or ml ess f or m and t onel ess t ones,

I mi ght have st epped out of t he f r ame

Of a Eosset t i or Bume- Jones.

84 A POMANDER OF VERSE

Page 33 of 35

I st ol e sof t f r i l l s f r om Mar cus St one,

My wai st wor e Her komer ' s di sgui se,

My sl ender pur se was st r ai ned, I own,

But — ^ my sUk l ay as Sar gent ' s l i es.

And when you wer e abr oad — i n Pr ague —

' Mi d Cher et s I had shone, a st ar ;

Then f or your sake I gr ew as vague

As Mr Whi st l er ' s l adi es ar e.

But now at l ast you sue i n vai n,

For her e a l i f e' s submi ssi on ends :

Not even f or you wi U I gr ow pl ai n

As Aubr ey Bear dsl ey' s " l ady f r i ends. ' '

Her e I r enounce your hand — unl ess

You f i nd your Ar t - i deal el sewher e ;

I wi l l not wear t he ki nd of dr ess

That Laur ence Housman' s peopl e wear !

BERGAMOT 85

THE CHOI CE

Pl ague t ake t he dul l and dust y t own,

I t s paved and sor di d mazes,

Now Spr i ng has t r i mmed her pr et t y gown

Wi t h but t er cups and dai si es !

Wi t h hal f my hear t I l ong t o l i e

Among t he f l ower ed gr asses.

And hear t he l ovi ng l eaves t hat si gh

As t hei r sweet Mi st r ess passes.

Thr ough pi ct ur e- shows I make my way

Whi l e f l ower - cr owned mai ds go mayi ng.

And al l t he cul t ur ed t hi ngs I say

That cul t ur ed f ol k ar e sayi ng.

For I r enounce Spr i ng' s dar l i ng f ace,

Wi t h may- bl oom f r esh upon i t :

My Mi st r ess l i ves i n Gr osvenor - pl ace

And wear s a Bond- st r eet bonnet !

A POMANDER OF VERSE

Page 34 of 35

A COMEDY

Madam, you bade me act a par t ,

A comedy of your devi si ng —

For bade me t o consul t my hear t .

To be si ncer e — or compr omi si ng.

The pl ay was not my own devi ce.

My st age- st r uck yout h l i es f ar behi nd me ;

And yet — I t hought i t woul d be ni ce

To pl ay t he par t t hat you assi gned me.

Thus have I l ear ned my r 61e so wel l

That , as I pl ay, you quest i on whet her

Fat e has not t aught your j est a spel l

To bi nd me t o you al t oget her .

The t r ut h i s t hi s : so i l l I wr ought

I n mast er i ng t he par t you gave me.

That now ' t i s t yr ant of my t hought .

And not hi ng i n t he wor l d can save me !

Bet ween me and my wor k, your f ace.

I n haunt i ng f ashi on, dai l y l i nger s ;

Your eyes make mi ne t hei r dwel l i ng pl ace

Your dr eam- hand t hr i l l s my i dl e f i nger s.

BERGAMOT 87

Thr ough deat h- whi t e ni ght s I dr eam of you —

Of what mi ght move, and what has moved

you—

Ah ! no ! Ther e' s not hi ng you can do ! . . .

. . . I t ' s not as t hough I r eal l y l oved you.

A POMANDER OF VERSE

THE END

Adi eu, Madame ! The moon of May-

Wanes now above t he or char d gr ey ;

The whi t e May- bl ossoms f al l l i ke snow,

As Love f or et ol d a mont h ago —

Or was i t onl y yest er day ?

Al l pl easant t hi ngs must pass away ;

You woul d not , sur el y, have me st ay ?

I own I shun t he i nf er ence ! No !

Adi eu, Madame !

Page 35 of 35

Come, dr y your eyes, f or not t hi s way

Shoul d end your pr et t y past or al pl ay.

You have no hear t — you t ol d me so —

And I ador e you, as you know ;

Smi l e, whi l e I br eak my hear t and say

Adi eu, Madame !