Sonnets | Page 7

o'er the far hills' frowning crest?Fell the soft beams of Cynthia's silv'ry car:?Thyself--than stars and moonbeams fairer far--?A vision in ethereal beauty drest!?But, when thy head drooped flow'r-like on my breast,?Then did no word our souls' communion mar:
Love spake to love without a sign or glance,?And heart to heart its inmost depth revealed?In the deep thrilling silence of that trance,?Till earth, and earthly being ceased to be,?And our blent souls at that high altar kneeled?Whence Love doth gaze upon Eternity!
XXI
A CROWN OF THORNS
There was a crown of thorns upon the head?Of Love, when he across my threshold came.?I knew the sign and did not ask his name,?But took him to my heart, although he said,?'The soul's dumb agonies, the tears unshed?That sear the heart, th' injustice and the blame?Of the harsh world,--God wills that I should claim?Through these immortal Life when Hope is dead.'
I took him to my heart and clasped him close.?E'en though his thorns did make my bosom bleed.?Then from the very core of pain arose?A joy that seemed to be the utmost need?Of my worn soul! Love whispered, '_This_ the meed?Of hearts that keep their faith amidst Love's woes.'
XXII
TWO HEARTS IN ONE
Two hearts made one by Love that cannot die?Whatever life may bring, shall never part;?In life they're one, and e'en in death one heart!?Are we not such, Belov��d, thou and I??Ah, then, why mourn that 'neath another sky,?Far from these longing arms and eyes thou art??I clasp thee still, and lo! thy lips impart?New life to me as in the days gone by.
I feel thy heart in mine,--our hopes and fears,?Like music's wedded notes, together flow;?Our sighs the same, the same our smiles and tears,--?The selfsame bliss is ours, the selfsame woe.?For Love no weary leagues, no ling'ring years--?Two hearts in one nor time nor distance know.
XXIII
YEARNING
The night is sweet: thy breath is in the air,?I feel it on my face; thy tender eyes?Look love upon me from yon starry skies!?They bring to me, those glancing moonbeams fair,?The shine and ripple of thy silken hair.?And in the silent whispers and the sighs?That from the throbbing heart of Nature rise,?I hear thee, feel thee,--own thy presence there.
Ah, fond deceit!--too soon the heart, unblest,?Unsated, turns from these illusive charms?Back to the haunting dream of heav'n once known:?It pines for those soft eyes, that throbbing breast,?Those sweet life-giving lips, those circling arms--?The breath, the touch, the warmth of Beauty flown.
XXIV
LOVE'S GIFT
I'm far from thee, yet oft our spirits meet:?We share the longings of each other's breast,?And all our joys and sorrows are confest?As though our lips did love's fond tale repeat.?Ah! then thine eyes send forth, mine eyes to greet,?Glances in which thy whole soul is exprest,?Then, like some song-bird flutt'ring in its nest,?I hear thy heart in pulsing cadence beat.
I know its music and I know its thought;?My heart to it th' unuttered words supplies;?I listen to the thrilling melody?Until my soul its subtle tone hath caught.?And then I take it as Love's gift,--it lies?Imprisoned in my own weak poesy!
EPILOGUE
From out the golden dawn of vanished years?She glides into my dreams, a form divine?Of light and love, to soothe the thoughts that pine?For what has been, to stem the tide of tears?That inward flows upon the heart and sears?Its inmost core. Her countenance benign,?Where Love and Pity's chastened graces shine,?Reflects the hallowed light of other spheres.
Then to my anguished soul, with care outworn,?Comes, like a strain on aerial wings upborne,?This message from her soul:--'_Bid sorrow cease;?Love dies not;--'tis th' immortal life above.?And chastened souls, that win eternal peace?Through earthly suff'ring, know that Heaven is Love_!'
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