Preluding soft, as ’twere a dulcimer,
But gathering strength and volume with delay,
And sadness too. In truth, as strange a chaunt
As ever bridegroom’s ear might choose to know,
Or lover’s voice to listening lover vaunt,
(Thus Adrian argued in his dream) for, lo,
The dirge resolved itself to words of pain,
And “Miserere mei Domine”
Became the burden of its dolorous strain,
Till the love faded from Natalia’s glee,
And with a sudden shudder in the sun
Adrian awoke and his brave dream was done.
–To inherit cheeks a–tingle with such bloodAs wood nymphs blushed, who to the first–blown fluteWent out in endless dancing through the wood.To live, and taste of that immortal foodAfter the wild day’s waste prepared for usBy deathless hands, and straightway be renewed,Like the god’s entrails upon Caucasus.To rise at dawn with eye and brain and…
Adrian arose and followed where the stoneYawned for his love, and there unseen by themIn the dark chauntry he beheld them layHer body in the grave with his own heart.A bitter jest it seemed to him that theyShould all stand near and only he apart,And through his soul a wind of anger sweptWhen any in…
Talked volubly to all and scorned disguise,While Madame Blanche herself, no less than they,Smiled us a welcome, and with upraised handsDisclaimed excuse and led us straightway throughTo an inner room as to a Conference.There I first saw to my amazement newThat fair white mystery, a woman’s dress,And heard its language spoken. Stuffs were broughtAnd cards…
He came to die beside the lake.The golden trout leaped up to view,The moorfowl clapped his wings and crew,The swallow brushed him as she flew.He looked upon the glorious sun,His blood dropped slowly on the stone,He loved the life so nearly won,And then he died. The ravens foundA carcase couched upon the ground,They said their…
A love which is eternal begotten in a day.The ill is long past healing. Why should I speak to–day?For none have ears to hear, and, least of all, she.Alas I shall have lived unseen tho’ ever near,For ever at her side, for ever too alone.I shall have lived my life unknowing and unknown,Asking naught, daring…
We both have earned, even more than rest, from toil;Our minds need laughter, as a spent lamp oil,And after their long fast a recompense.How sweet the evening is with its fresh scentsOf briar and fern distilled by the warm wind!How green a robe the rain has left behind!How the birds laugh!–What say you to a…
