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diff --git a/old/15311.txt b/old/15311.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 2c86334..0000000 --- a/old/15311.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,10816 +0,0 @@ -Project Gutenberg's Poems By The Way & Love Is Enough, by William Morris - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: Poems By The Way & Love Is Enough - -Author: William Morris - -Release Date: March 10, 2005 [EBook #15311] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POEMS BY THE WAY & LOVE IS ENOUGH *** - - - - -Produced by Michael Ciesielski, Carol David and Lynn Bornath -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. Page images -were generously made available by The Internet Archive. - - - - - - -WILLIAM MORRIS'S WORKS - - -Cheaper Issue of the LIBRARY EDITION of Mr. WILLIAM MORRIS'S POETICAL -WORKS. Complete in Eleven Volumes, price 5s. net each, viz.:-- - - -THE EARTHLY PARADISE. 4 vols., 5s. net each. -THE DEFENCE OF GUENEVERE, AND OTHER POEMS, 5s. net. -THE LIFE AND DEATH OF JASON. 5s. net. -POEMS BY THE WAY: AND LOVE IS ENOUGH. 5s. net. -THE STORY OF SIGURD THE VOLSUNG, AND THE FALL OF THE NIBLUNGS. 5s. -net. -THE ÆNEIDS OF VIRGIL. Done into English Verse. 5s. net. -THE ODYSSEY OF HOMER. Done into English Verse. 5s. net. -THE TALE OF BEOWULF. Translated by WILLIAM MORRIS and A.J. WYATT. 5s. -net. - - -Certain of the POETICAL WORKS may also be had in the following -Editions:-- - - -THE EARTHLY PARADISE. POPULAR EDITION in 5 vols., 121110, 25s. or 5s. -each sold separately. - The same in 10 Parts, 25s. or 2s.6d. each sold separately. - The same in 4 vols. (Silver Library), 3s.6d. each. - The same in 12 Parts, crown 8vo, paper covers, Parts 1-8, 10 and 11, - each 1s. net; Parts 9 and 12, 2s. net each. - CHEAP EDITION in 1 vol., 8vo, 6s. net. -POEMS BY THE WAY. Square crown 8vo, 6s. -THE DEFENCE OF GUENEVERE, AND OTHER POEMS. Fcap. 8vo, 1s.6d. net. - - - -PROSE WORKS - - -A TALE OF THE HOUSE OF THE WOLFINGS. Written in Prose and Verse. -Square crown 8vo, 6s. -THE ROOTS OF THE MOUNTAINS. Written in Prose and Verse. Square crown -8vo, 8s. -THE STORY OF THE GLITTERING PLAIN. Square post 8vo, 5s. net. -THE WOOD BEYOND THE WORLD. Crown 8vo, 6s. net. -THE WELL AT THE WORLD'S END: A Tale. 2 vols. 8vo, 28s. -THE WATER OF THE WONDROUS ISLES. Crown 8vo, 7s.6d. -THE SUNDERING FLOOD: A Romance. Crown 8vo, 7s.6d. -A DREAM OF JOHN BALL, AND A KING'S LESSON. 16mo, 1s.6d. -NEWS FROM NOWHERE; OR, AN EPOCH OF REST. Post 8vo, 1s.6d. -HOPES AND FEARS FOR ART. Five Lectures. Crown 8vo, 4s.6d. -SIGNS OF CHANGE. Seven Lectures. Post 8vo, 4s.6d. -AN ADDRESS DELIVERED TO STUDENTS OF THE BIRMINGHAM Municipal School of -Art. 8vo, 2s.6d. net. -SOME HINTS ON PATTERN-DESIGNING: A Lecture. 8vo, 2s.6d. net. -ART AND ITS PRODUCERS, AND THE ARTS AND CRAFTS OF TO-DAY. 8vo, 2s.6d. -net. -ARTS AND CRAFTS ESSAYS by Members of the Arts and Crafts Exhibition -Society. With a Preface by WILLIAM MORRIS. Crown 8vo, 2s.6d. net. -ARCHITECTURE, INDUSTRY, AND WEALTH: Collected Papers. Crown -8vo, 6s. net. -THE STORY OF GRETTIR THE STRONG. Translated from the Icelandic by -EIRÍKR MAGNÚSSON and WILLIAM MORRIS. Crown 8vo, 5s. net. -THREE NORTHERN LOVE STORIES, AND OTHER TALES. Translated from the -Icelandic by EIRÍKR MAGNÚSSON and WILLIAM MORRIS. Crown 8vo, 6s. net. - - -LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. -LONDON, NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA - - - - -POEMS BY THE WAY -LOVE IS ENOUGH - - - -POEMS BY THE WAY -& LOVE IS ENOUGH - -BY - -WILLIAM MORRIS - -NEW IMPRESSION - -LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO. -39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON -NEW YORK, BOMBAY, AND CALCUTTA -1907 - -_BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE - -First Edition in this form, June 1896; -Reprinted February 1898, May 1902, -and June 1907_ - - - - -CONTENTS - - -POEMS BY THE WAY - - -FROM THE UPLAND TO THE SEA - -OF THE WOOING OF HALLBIORN THE STRONG - -ECHOES OF LOVE'S HOUSE - -THE BURGHERS' BATTLE - -HOPE DIETH: LOVE LIVETH - -ERROR AND LOSS - -THE HALL AND THE WOOD - -THE DAY OF DAYS - -TO THE MUSE OF THE NORTH - -OF THE THREE SEEKERS - -LOVE'S GLEANING-TIDE - -THE MESSAGE OF THE MARCH WIND - -A DEATH SONG - -ICELAND FIRST SEEN - -THE RAVEN AND THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -SPRING'S BEDFELLOW - -MEETING IN WINTER - -THE TWO SIDES OF THE RIVER - -LOVE FULFILLED - -THE KING OF DENMARK'S SONS - -ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS - -A GARDEN BY THE SEA - -MOTHER AND SON - -THUNDER IN THE GARDEN - -THE GOD OF THE POOR - -LOVE'S REWARD - -THE FOLK-MOTE BY THE RIVER - -THE VOICE OF TOIL - -GUNNAR'S HOWE ABOVE THE HOUSE AT LITHEND - -THE DAY IS COMING - -EARTH THE HEALER, EARTH THE KEEPER - -ALL FOR THE CAUSE - -PAIN AND TIME STRIVE NOT - -DRAWING NEAR THE LIGHT - -VERSES FOR PICTURES - -FOR THE BRIAR ROSE - -ANOTHER FOR THE BRIAR ROSE - -THE WOODPECKER - -THE LION - -THE FOREST - -POMONA - -FLORA - -THE ORCHARD - -TAPESTRY TREES - -THE FLOWERING ORCHARD - -THE END OF MAY - -THE HALF OF LIFE GONE - -MINE AND THINE - -THE LAY OF CHRISTINE - -HILDEBRAND AND HELLELIL - -THE SON'S SORROW - -AGNES AND THE HILL-MAN - -KNIGHT AAGEN AND MAIDEN ELSE - -HAFBUR AND SIGNY - -GOLDILOCKS AND GOLDILOCKS - - - -LOVE IS ENOUGH - - - - - - -POEMS BY THE WAY - - - - -FROM THE UPLAND TO THE SEA - - -Shall we wake one morn of spring, -Glad at heart of everything, -Yet pensive with the thought of eve? -Then the white house shall we leave. -Pass the wind-flowers and the bays, -Through the garth, and go our ways, -Wandering down among the meads -Till our very joyance needs -Rest at last; till we shall come -To that Sun-god's lonely home, -Lonely on the hillside grey, -Whence the sheep have gone away; -Lonely till the feast-time is, -When with prayer and praise of bliss, -Thither comes the country side. -There awhile shall we abide, -Sitting low down in the porch -By that image with the torch: -Thy one white hand laid upon -The black pillar that was won -From the far-off Indian mine; -And my hand nigh touching thine, -But not touching; and thy gown -Fair with spring-flowers cast adown -From thy bosom and thy brow. -There the south-west wind shall blow -Through thine hair to reach my cheek, -As thou sittest, nor mayst speak, -Nor mayst move the hand I kiss -For the very depth of bliss; -Nay, nor turn thine eyes to me. -Then desire of the great sea -Nigh enow, but all unheard, -In the hearts of us is stirred, -And we rise, we twain at last, -And the daffodils downcast, -Feel thy feet and we are gone -From the lonely Sun-Crowned one, -Then the meads fade at our back, -And the spring day 'gins to lack -That fresh hope that once it had; -But we twain grow yet more glad, -And apart no more may go -When the grassy slope and low -Dieth in the shingly sand: -Then we wander hand in hand -By the edges of the sea, -And I weary more for thee -Than if far apart we were, -With a space of desert drear -'Twixt thy lips and mine, O love! -Ah, my joy, my joy thereof! - - - - - -OF THE WOOING OF HALLBIORN THE STRONG - -A STORY FROM THE LAND-SETTLING BOOK OF ICELAND, CHAPTER XXX. - - -At Deildar-Tongue in the autumn-tide, -_So many times over comes summer again_, -Stood Odd of Tongue his door beside. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ -Dim and dusk the day was grown, -As he heard his folded wethers moan. -Then through the garth a man drew near, -With painted shield and gold-wrought spear. -Good was his horse and grand his gear, -And his girths were wet with Whitewater. -"Hail, Master Odd, live blithe and long! -How fare the folk at Deildar-Tongue?" -"All hail, thou Hallbiorn the Strong! -How fare the folk by the Brothers'-Tongue?" -"Meat have we there, and drink and fire, -Nor lack all things that we desire. -But by the other Whitewater -Of Hallgerd many a tale we hear." -"Tales enow may my daughter make -If too many words be said for her sake." -"What saith thine heart to a word of mine, -That I deem thy daughter fair and fine? -Fair and fine for a bride is she, -And I fain would have her home with me." -"Full many a word that at noon goes forth -Comes home at even little worth. -Now winter treadeth on autumn-tide, -So here till the spring shalt thou abide. -Then if thy mind be changed no whit. -And ye still will wed, see ye to it! -And on the first of summer days, -A wedded man, ye may go your ways. -Yet look, howso the thing will fall, -My hand shall meddle nought at all. -Lo, now the night and rain draweth up. -And within doors glimmer stoop and cup. -And hark, a little sound I know, -The laugh of Snæbiorn's fiddle-bow, -My sister's son, and a craftsman good, -When the red rain drives through the iron wood." -Hallbiorn laughed, and followed in, -And a merry feast there did begin. -Hallgerd's hands undid his weed, -Hallgerd's hands poured out the mead. -Her fingers at his breast he felt, -As her hair fell down about his belt. -Her fingers with the cup he took, -And o'er its rim at her did look. -Cold cup, warm hand, and fingers slim. -Before his eyes were waxen dim. -And if the feast were foul or fair, -He knew not, save that she was there. -He knew not if men laughed or wept, -While still 'twixt wall and daïs she stept. -Whether she went or stood that eve, -Not once his eyes her face did leave. -But Snæbiorn laughed and Snæbiorn sang, -And sweet his smitten fiddle rang. -And Hallgerd stood beside him there, -_So many times over comes summer again_ -Nor ever once he turned to her, -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ - -Master Odd on the morrow spake, -_So many times over comes summer again._ -"Hearken, O guest, if ye be awake," -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ -"Sure ye champions of the south -Speak many things from a silent mouth. -And thine, meseems, last night did pray -That ye might well be wed to-day. -The year's ingathering feast it is, -A goodly day to give thee bliss. -Come hither, daughter, fine and fair, -Here is a wooer from Whitewater. -Fast away hath he gotten fame, -And his father's name is e'en my name. -Will ye lay hand within his hand, -That blossoming fair our house may stand?" -She laid her hand within his hand; -White she was as the lily wand. -Low sang Snæbiorn's brand in its sheath, -And his lips were waxen grey as death. -"Snæbiorn, sing us a song of worth. -If your song must be silent from now henceforth. -Clear and loud his voice outrang, -And a song of worth at the wedding he sang. -"Sharp sword," he sang, "and death is sure." -_So many times over comes summer again_, -"But love doth over all endure." -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ - -Now winter cometh and weareth away, -_So many times over comes summer again_, -And glad is Hallbiorn many a day. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ -Full soft he lay his love beside; -But dark are the days of winter-tide. -Dark are the days, and the nights are long, -And sweet and fair was Snæbiorn's song. -Many a time he talked with her, -Till they deemed the summer-tide was there. -And they forgat the wind-swept ways -And angry fords of the flitting-days. -While the north wind swept the hillside there -They forgat the other Whitewater. -While nights at Deildar-Tongue were long, -They clean forgat the Brothers'-Tongue. -But whatso falleth 'twixt Hell and Home, -_So many times over comes summer again,_ -Full surely again shall summer come. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ - -To Odd spake Hallbiorn on a day -_So many times over comes summer again,_ -"Gone is the snow from everyway." -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ -"Now green is grown Whitewater-side, -And I to Whitewater will ride." -Quoth Odd, "Well fare thou winter-guest, -May thine own Whitewater be best -Well is a man's purse better at home -Than open where folk go and come." -"Come ye carles of the south country, -Now shall we go our kin to see! -For the lambs are bleating in the south, -And the salmon swims towards Olfus mouth, -Girth and graithe and gather your gear! -And ho for the other Whitewater!" -Bright was the moon as bright might be, -And Snæbiorn rode to the north country. -And Odd to Reykholt is gone forth, -To see if his mares be ought of worth. -But Hallbiorn into the bower is gone -And there sat Hallgerd all alone. -She was not dight to go nor ride, -She had no joy of the summer-tide. -Silent she sat and combed her hair, -That fell all round about her there. -The slant beam lay upon her head, -And gilt her golden locks to red. -He gazed at her with hungry eyes -And fluttering did his heart arise. -"Full hot," he said, "is the sun to-day, -And the snow is gone from the mountain-way -The king-cup grows above the grass, -And through the wood do the thrushes pass." -Of all his words she hearkened none, -But combed her hair amidst the sun. -"The laden beasts stand in the garth -And their heads are turned to Helliskarth." -The sun was falling on her knee, -And she combed her gold hair silently. -"To-morrow great will be the cheer -At the Brothers'-Tongue by Whitewater." -From her folded lap the sunbeam slid; -She combed her hair, and the word she hid. -"Come, love; is the way so long and drear -From Whitewater to Whitewater?" -The sunbeam lay upon the floor; -She combed her hair and spake no more. -He drew her by the lily hand: -"I love thee better than all the land." -He drew her by the shoulders sweet: -"My threshold is but for thy feet." -He drew her by the yellow hair: -"O why wert thou so deadly fair? -O am I wedded to death?" he cried, -"Is the Dead-strand come to Whitewater side?" -And the sun was fading from the room, -But her eyes were bright in the change and the gloom. -"Sharp sword," she sang, "and death is sure, -But over all doth love endure." -She stood up shining in her place -And laughed beneath his deadly face. -Instead of the sunbeam gleamed a brand, -The hilts were hard in Hallbiorn's hand: -The bitter point was in Hallgerd's breast -That Snæbiorn's lips of love had pressed. -Morn and noon, and nones passed o'er, -And the sun is far from the bower door. -To-morrow morn shall the sun come back, -_So many times over comes summer again_, -But Hallgerd's feet the floor shall lack. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ - -Now Hallbiorn's house-carles ride full fast, -_So many times over comes summer again_, -Till many a mile of way is past. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ -But when they came over Oxridges, -'Twas, "Where shall we give our horses ease?" -When Shieldbroad-side was well in sight, -'Twas, "Where shall we lay our heads to-night?" -Hallbiorn turned and raised his head; -"Under the stones of the waste," he said. -Quoth one, "The clatter of hoofs anigh." -Quoth the other, "Spears against the sky!" -"Hither ride men from the Wells apace; -Spur we fast to a kindlier place." -Down from his horse leapt Hallbiorn straight: -"Why should the supper of Odin wait? -Weary and chased I will not come -To the table of my fathers' home." -With that came Snæbiorn, who but he, -And twelve in all was his company. - Snæbiorn's folk were on their feet; -He spake no word as they did meet. -They fought upon the northern hill: -Five are the howes men see there still. -Three men of Snæbiorn's fell to earth -And Hallbiorn's twain that were of worth. -And never a word did Snæbiorn say, -Till Hallbiorn's foot he smote away. -Then Hallbiorn cried: "Come, fellow of mine, -To the southern bent where the sun doth shine." -Tottering into the sun he went, -And slew two more upon the bent. -And on the bent where dead he lay -Three howes do men behold to-day. -And never a word spake Snæbiorn yet, -Till in his saddle he was set. -Nor was there any heard his voice, -_So many times over comes summer again_ -Till he came to his ship in Grimsar-oyce. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ - -On so fair a day they hoisted sail, -_So many times over comes summer again_, -And for Norway well did the wind avail. -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ -But Snæbiorn looked aloft and said: -"I see in the sail a stripe of red: -Murder, meseems, is the name of it, -And ugly things about it flit. -A stripe of blue in the sail I see: -Cold death of men it seems to me. -And next I see a stripe of black, -For a life fulfilled of bitter lack." -Quoth one, "So fair a wind doth blow -That we shall see Norway soon enow." -"Be blithe, O shipmate," Snæbiorn said, -"Tell Hacon the Earl that I be dead." -About the midst of the Iceland main -Round veered the wind to the east again. -And west they drave, and long they ran -Till they saw a land was white and wan. -"Yea," Snæbiorn said, "my home it is, -Ye bear a man shall have no bliss. -Far off beside the Greekish sea -The maidens pluck the grapes in glee. -Green groweth the wheat in the English land, -And the honey-bee flieth on every hand. -In Norway by the cheaping town -The laden beasts go up and down. -In Iceland many a mead they mow -And Hallgerd's grave grows green enow. -But these are Gunnbiorn's skerries wan, -Meet harbour for a hapless man. -In all lands else is love alive, -But here is nought with grief to strive. -Fail not for a while, O eastern wind, -For nought but grief is left behind. -And before me here a rest I know," -_So many times over comes summer again,_ -"A grave beneath the Greenland snow," -_What healing in summer if winter be vain?_ - - - - - -ECHOES OF LOVE'S HOUSE - - - -Love gives every gift whereby we long to live: -"Love takes every gift, and nothing back doth give." - -Love unlocks the lips that else were ever dumb: -"Love locks up the lips whence all things good might come." - -Love makes clear the eyes that else would never see: -"Love makes blind the eyes to all but me and thee." - -Love turns life to joy till nought is left to gain: -"Love turns life to woe till hope is nought and vain." - -Love, who changest all, change me nevermore! -"Love, who changest all, change my sorrow sore!" - -Love burns up the world to changeless heaven and blest, -"Love burns up the world to a void of all unrest." - -And there we twain are left, and no more work we need: -"And I am left alone, and who my work shall heed?" - -Ah! I praise thee, Love, for utter joyance won! -"And is my praise nought worth for all my life undone?" - - - - - -THE BURGHERS' BATTLE - - - -Thick rise the spear-shafts o'er the land -That erst the harvest bore; -The sword is heavy in the hand, -_And we return no more_. -The light wind waves the Ruddy Fox, -Our banner of the war, -And ripples in the Running Ox, -_And we return no more_. -Across our stubble acres now -The teams go four and four; -But out-worn elders guide the plough, -_And we return no more_. -And now the women heavy-eyed -Turn through the open door -From gazing down the highway wide, -_Where we return no more_. -The shadows of the fruited close -Dapple the feast-hall floor; -There lie our dogs and dream and doze, -_And we return no more_. -Down from the minster tower to-day -Fall the soft chimes of yore -Amidst the chattering jackdaws' play: -_And we return no more_. -But underneath the streets are still; -Noon, and the market's o'er! -Back go the goodwives o'er the hill; -_For we return no more_. -What merchant to our gates shall come? -What wise man bring us lore? -What abbot ride away to Rome, -_Now we return no more?_ -What mayor shall rule the hall we built? -Whose scarlet sweep the floor? -What judge shall doom the robber's guilt, -_Now we return no more?_ -New houses in the street shall rise -Where builded we before, -Of other stone wrought otherwise; -_For we return no more_. -And crops shall cover field and hill -Unlike what once they bore, -And all be done without our will, -_Now we return no more_. -Look up! the arrows streak the sky, -The horns of battle roar; -The long spears lower and draw nigh, -_And we return no more_. -Remember how beside the wain, -We spoke the word of war, -And sowed this harvest of the plain, -_And we return no more_. -Lay spears about the Ruddy Fox! -The days of old are o'er; -Heave sword about the Running Ox! -_For we return no more._ - - - - - -HOPE DIETH: LOVE LIVETH - - -Strong are thine arms, O love, and strong -Thine heart to live, and love, and long; -But thou art wed to grief and wrong: -Live, then, and long, though hope be dead! -Live on, and labour through the years! -Make pictures through the mist of tears, -Of unforgotten happy fears, -That crossed the time ere hope was dead. -Draw near the place where once we stood -Amid delight's swift-rushing flood, -And we and all the world seemed good -Nor needed hope now cold and dead. -Dream in the dawn I come to thee -Weeping for things that may not be! -Dream that thou layest lips on me! -Wake, wake to clasp hope's body dead! -Count o'er and o'er, and one by one, -The minutes of the happy sun -That while agone on kissed lips shone, -Count on, rest not, for hope is dead. -Weep, though no hair's breadth thou shalt move -The living Earth, the heaven above, -By all the bitterness of love! -Weep and cease not, now hope is dead! -Sighs rest thee not, tears bring no ease, -Life hath no joy, and Death no peace: -The years change not, though they decrease, -For hope is dead, for hope is dead. -Speak, love, I listen: far away -I bless the tremulous lips, that say, -"Mock not the afternoon of day, -Mock not the tide when hope is dead!" -I bless thee, O my love, who say'st: -"Mock not the thistle-cumbered waste; -I hold Love's hand, and make no haste -Down the long way, now hope is dead. -With other names do we name pain, -The long years wear our hearts in vain. -Mock not our loss grown into gain, -Mock not our lost hope lying dead. -Our eyes gaze for no morning-star, -No glimmer of the dawn afar; -Full silent wayfarers we are -Since ere the noon-tide hope lay dead. -Behold with lack of happiness -The master, Love, our hearts did bless -Lest we should think of him the less: -Love dieth not, though hope is dead!" - - - - - -ERROR AND LOSS - - -Upon an eve I sat me down and wept, -Because the world to me seemed nowise good; -Still autumn was it, and the meadows slept, -The misty hills dreamed, and the silent wood -Seemed listening to the sorrow of my mood: -I knew not if the earth with me did grieve, -Or if it mocked my grief that bitter eve. - -Then 'twixt my tears a maiden did I see, -Who drew anigh me on the leaf-strewn grass, -Then stood and gazed upon me pitifully -With grief-worn eyes, until my woe did pass -From me to her, and tearless now I was, -And she mid tears was asking me of one -She long had sought unaided and alone. - -I knew not of him, and she turned away -Into the dark wood, and my own great pain -Still held me there, till dark had slain the day, -And perished at the grey dawn's hand again; -Then from the wood a voice cried: "Ah, in vain, -In vain I seek thee, O thou bitter-sweet! -In what lone land are set thy longed-for feet?" - -Then I looked up, and lo, a man there came -From midst the trees, and stood regarding me -Until my tears were dried for very shame; -Then he cried out: "O mourner, where is she -Whom I have sought o'er every land and sea? -I love her and she loveth me, and still -We meet no more than green hill meeteth hill." - -With that he passed on sadly, and I knew -That these had met and missed in the dark night, -Blinded by blindness of the world untrue, -That hideth love and maketh wrong of right. -Then midst my pity for their lost delight, -Yet more with barren longing I grew weak, -Yet more I mourned that I had none to seek. - - - - - -THE HALL AND THE WOOD - - -'Twas in the water-dwindling tide -When July days were done, -Sir Rafe of Greenhowes 'gan to ride -In the earliest of the sun. - -He left the white-walled burg behind, -He rode amidst the wheat. -The westland-gotten wind blew kind -Across the acres sweet. - -Then rose his heart and cleared his brow, -And slow he rode the way: -"As then it was, so is it now, -Not all hath worn away." - -So came he to the long green lane -That leadeth to the ford, -And saw the sickle by the wain -Shine bright as any sword. - -The brown carles stayed 'twixt draught and draught, -And murmuring, stood aloof, -But one spake out when he had laughed: -"God bless the Green-wood Roof!" - -Then o'er the ford and up he fared: -And lo the happy hills! -And the mountain-dale by summer cleared, -That oft the winter fills. - -Then forth he rode by Peter's gate, -And smiled and said aloud: -"No more a day doth the Prior wait; -White stands the tower and proud." - -There leaned a knight on the gateway side -In armour white and wan, -And after the heels of the horse he cried, -"God keep the hunted man!" - -Then quoth Sir Rafe, "Amen, amen!" -For he deemed the word was good; -But never a while he lingered then -Till he reached the Nether Wood. - - - -He rode by ash, he rode by oak, -He rode the thicket round, -And heard no woodman strike a stroke, -No wandering wife he found. - -He rode the wet, he rode the dry, -He rode the grassy glade: -At Wood-end yet the sun was high, -And his heart was unafraid. - -There on the bent his rein he drew, -And looked o'er field and fold, -O'er all the merry meads he knew -Beneath the mountains old. - -He gazed across to the good Green Howe -As he smelt the sun-warmed sward; -Then his face grew pale from chin to brow, -And he cried, "God save the sword!" - -For there beyond the winding way, -Above the orchards green, -Stood up the ancient gables grey -With ne'er a roof between. - -His naked blade in hand he had, -O'er rough and smooth he rode, -Till he stood where once his heart was glad -Amidst his old abode. - - - -Across the hearth a tie-beam lay -Unmoved a weary while. -The flame that clomb the ashlar grey -Had burned it red as tile. - -The sparrows bickering on the floor -Fled at his entering in; -The swift flew past the empty door -His winged meat to win. - -Red apples from the tall old tree -O'er the wall's rent were shed. -Thence oft, a little lad, would he -Look down upon the lead. - -There turned the cheeping chaffinch now -And feared no birding child; -Through the shot-window thrust a bough -Of garden-rose run wild. - -He looked to right, he looked to left, -And down to the cold grey hearth, -Where lay an axe with half burned heft -Amidst the ashen dearth. - -He caught it up and cast it wide -Against the gable wall; -Then to the daïs did he stride, -O'er beam and bench and all. - -Amidst there yet the high-seat stood, -Where erst his sires had sat; -And the mighty board of oaken wood, -The fire had stayed thereat. - -Then through the red wrath of his eyne -He saw a sheathed sword, -Laid thwart that wasted field of wine, -Amidmost of the board. - -And by the hilts a slug-horn lay, -And therebeside a scroll, -He caught it up and turned away -From the lea-land of the bowl. - -Then with the sobbing grief he strove, -For he saw his name thereon; -And the heart within his breast uphove -As the pen's tale now he won, - -"O Rafe, my love of long ago! -Draw forth thy father's blade, -And blow the horn for friend and foe, -And the good green-wood to aid!" - -He turned and took the slug-horn up, -And set it to his mouth, -And o'er that meadow of the cup -Blew east and west and south. - -He drew the sword from out the sheath -And shook the fallow brand; -And there a while with bated breath, -And hearkening ear did stand. - -Him-seemed the horn's voice he might hear-- -Or the wind that blew o'er all. -Him-seemed that footsteps drew anear-- -Or the boughs shook round the hall. - -Him-seemed he heard a voice he knew-- -Or a dream of while agone. -Him-seemed bright raiment towards him drew-- -Or bright the sun-set shone. - -She stood before him face to face, -With the sun-beam thwart her hand, -As on the gold of the Holy Place -The painted angels stand. - -With many a kiss she closed his eyes; -She kissed him cheek and chin: -E'en so in the painted Paradise -Are Earth's folk welcomed in. - -There in the door the green-coats stood, -O'er the bows went up the cry, -"O welcome, Rafe, to the free green-wood, -With us to live and die." - -It was bill and bow by the high-seat stood, -And they cried above the bows, -"Now welcome, Rafe, to the good green-wood, -And welcome Kate the Rose!" - -White, white in the moon is the woodland plash, -White is the woodland glade, -Forth wend those twain, from oak to ash, -With light hearts unafraid. - -The summer moon high o'er the hill, -All silver-white is she, -And Sir Rafe's good men with bow and bill, -They go by two and three. - -In the fair green-wood where lurks no fear, -Where the King's writ runneth not, -There dwell they, friends and fellows dear, -While summer days are hot. - -And when the leaf from the oak-tree falls, -And winds blow rough and strong, -With the carles of the woodland thorps and halls -They dwell, and fear no wrong. - -And there the merry yule they make, -And see the winter wane, -And fain are they for true-love's sake, -And the folk thereby are fain. - -For the ploughing carle and the straying herd -Flee never for Sir Rafe: -No barefoot maiden wends afeard, -And she deems the thicket safe. - -But sore adread do the chapmen ride; -Wide round the wood they go; -And the judge and the sergeants wander wide, -Lest they plead before the bow. - -Well learned and wise is Sir Rafe's good sword, -And straight the arrows fly, -And they find the coat of many a lord, -And the crest that rideth high. - - - - - -THE DAY OF DAYS - - -Each eve earth falleth down the dark, -As though its hope were o'er; -Yet lurks the sun when day is done -Behind to-morrow's door. - -Grey grows the dawn while men-folk sleep, -Unseen spreads on the light, -Till the thrush sings to the coloured things, -And earth forgets the night. - -No otherwise wends on our Hope: -E'en as a tale that's told -Are fair lives lost, and all the cost -Of wise and true and bold. - -We've toiled and failed; we spake the word; -None hearkened; dumb we lie; -Our Hope is dead, the seed we spread -Fell o'er the earth to die. - -What's this? For joy our hearts stand still, -And life is loved and dear, -The lost and found the Cause hath crowned, -The Day of Days is here. - - - - - -TO THE MUSE OF THE NORTH - - -O muse that swayest the sad Northern Song, -Thy right hand full of smiting and of wrong, -Thy left hand holding pity; and thy breast -Heaving with hope of that so certain rest: -Thou, with the grey eyes kind and unafraid, -The soft lips trembling not, though they have said -The doom of the World and those that dwell therein. -The lips that smile not though thy children win -The fated Love that draws the fated Death. -O, borne adown the fresh stream of thy breath, -Let some word reach my ears and touch my heart, -That, if it may be, I may have a part -In that great sorrow of thy children dead -That vexed the brow, and bowed adown the head, -Whitened the hair, made life a wondrous dream, -And death the murmur of a restful stream, -But left no stain upon those souls of thine -Whose greatness through the tangled world doth shine. -O Mother, and Love and Sister all in one, -Come thou; for sure I am enough alone -That thou thine arms about my heart shouldst throw, -And wrap me in the grief of long ago. - - - - - -OF THE THREE SEEKERS - - - -There met three knights on the woodland, -And the first was clad in silk array: -The second was dight in iron and steel, -But the third was rags from head to heel. -"Lo, now is the year and the day come round -When we must tell what we have found." -The first said: "I have found a king -Who grudgeth no gift of anything." -The second said: "I have found a knight -Who hath never turned his back in fight." -But the third said: "I have found a love -That Time and the World shall never move." - -Whither away to win good cheer? -"With me," said the first, "for my king is near." -So to the King they went their ways; -But there was a change of times and days. -"What men are ye," the great King said, -"That ye should eat my children's bread? -My waste has fed full many a store, -And mocking and grudge have I gained therefore. -Whatever waneth as days wax old. -Full worthy to win are goods and gold." - -Whither away to win good cheer? -"With me," said the second, "my knight is near. -So to the knight they went their ways, -But there was a change of times and days. -He dwelt in castle sure and strong, -For fear lest aught should do him wrong. -Guards by gate and hall there were, -And folk went in and out in fear. -When he heard the mouse run in the wall, -"Hist!" he said, "what next shall befall? -Draw not near, speak under your breath, -For all new-comers tell of death. -Bring me no song nor minstrelsy, -Round death it babbleth still," said he. -"And what is fame and the praise of men, -When lost life cometh not again?" - -Whither away to seek good cheer? -"Ah me!" said the third, "that my love were anear! -Were the world as little as it is wide, -In a happy house should ye abide. -Were the world as kind as it is hard, -Ye should behold a fair reward." - -So far by high and low have they gone, -They have come to a waste was rock and stone. -But lo, from the waste, a company -Full well bedight came riding by; -And in the midst, a queen, so fair, -That God wrought well in making her. - -The first and second knights abode -To gaze upon her as she rode, -Forth passed the third with head down bent, -And stumbling ever as he went. -His shoulder brushed her saddle-bow; -He trembled with his head hung low. -His hand brushed o'er her golden gown, -As on the waste he fell adown. -So swift to earth her feet she set, -It seemed that there her arms he met. -His lips that looked the stone to meet -Were on her trembling lips and sweet. -Softly she kissed him cheek and chin, -His mouth her many tears drank in. -"Where would'st thou wander, love," she said, -"Now I have drawn thee from the dead?" -"I go my ways," he said, "and thine -Have nought to do with grief and pine." -"All ways are one way now," she said, -"Since I have drawn thee from the dead." -Said he, "But I must seek again -Where first I met thee in thy pain: -I am not clad so fair," said he, -"But yet the old hurts thou may'st see. -And thou, but for thy gown of gold, -A piteous tale of thee were told." -"There is no pain on earth," she said, -"Since I have drawn thee from the dead." -"And parting waiteth for us there," -Said he, "as it was yester-year." - -"Yet first a space of love," she said, -"Since I have drawn thee from the dead." -He laughed; said he, "Hast thou a home -Where I and these my friends may come?" -Laughing, "The world's my home," she said, -"Now I have drawn thee from the dead. -Yet somewhere is a space thereof -Where I may dwell beside my love. -There clear the river grows for him -Till o'er its stones his keel shall swim. -There faint the thrushes in their song, -And deem he tarrieth overlong. -There summer-tide is waiting now -Until he bids the roses blow. -Come, tell my flowery fields," she said, -"How I have drawn thee from the dead." - -Whither away to win good cheer? -"With me," he said, "for my love is here. -The wealth of my house it waneth not; -No gift it giveth is forgot. -No fear my house may enter in, -For nought is there that death may win. -Now life is little, and death is nought, -Since all is found that erst I sought." - - - - - -LOVE'S GLEANING-TIDE - - - -Draw not away thy hands, my love, -With wind alone the branches move, -And though the leaves be scant above -The Autumn shall not shame us. - -Say; Let the world wax cold and drear, -What is the worst of all the year -But life, and what can hurt us, dear, -Or death, and who shall blame us? - -Ah, when the summer comes again -How shall we say, we sowed in vain? -The root was joy, the stem was pain, -The ear a nameless blending. - -The root is dead and gone, my love, -The stem's a rod our truth to prove; -The ear is stored for nought to move -Till heaven and earth have ending. - - - - - -THE MESSAGE OF THE MARCH WIND - - - -Fair now is the spring-tide, now earth lies beholding -With the eyes of a lover, the face of the sun; -Long lasteth the daylight, and hope is enfolding -The green-growing acres with increase begun. - -Now sweet, sweet it is through the land to be straying -'Mid the birds and the blossoms and the beasts of the field; -Love mingles with love, and no evil is weighing -On thy heart or mine, where all sorrow is healed. - -From township to township, o'er down and by tillage -Fair, far have we wandered and long was the day; -But now cometh eve at the end of the village, -Where over the grey wall the church riseth grey. - -There is wind in the twilight; in the white road before us -The straw from the ox-yard is blowing about; -The moon's rim is rising, a star glitters o'er us, -And the vane on the spire-top is swinging in doubt. - -Down there dips the highway, toward the bridge crossing over -The brook that runs on to the Thames and the sea. -Draw closer, my sweet, we are lover and lover; -This eve art thou given to gladness and me. - -Shall we be glad always? Come closer and hearken: -Three fields further on, as they told me down there, -When the young moon has set, if the March sky should darken, -We might see from the hill-top the great city's glare. - -Hark, the wind in the elm-boughs! from London it bloweth, -And telleth of gold, and of hope and unrest; -Of power that helps not; of wisdom that knoweth, -But teacheth not aught of the worst and the best. - -Of the rich men it telleth, and strange is the story -How they have, and they hanker, and grip far and wide; -And they live and they die, and the earth and its glory -Has been but a burden they scarce might abide. - -Hark! the March wind again of a people is telling; -Of the life that they live there, so haggard and grim, -That if we and our love amidst them had been dwelling -My fondness had faltered, thy beauty grown dim. - -This land we have loved in our love and our leisure -For them hangs in heaven, high out of their reach; -The wide hills o'er the sea-plain for them have no pleasure, -The grey homes of their fathers no story to teach. - -The singers have sung and the builders have builded, -The painters have fashioned their tales of delight; -For what and for whom hath the world's book been gilded, -When all is for these but the blackness of night? - -How long, and for what is their patience abiding? -How oft and how oft shall their story be told, -While the hope that none seeketh in darkness is hiding, -And in grief and in sorrow the world groweth old? - -Come back to the inn, love, and the lights and the fire, -And the fiddler's old tune and the shuffling of feet; -For there in a while shall be rest and desire, -And there shall the morrow's uprising be sweet. - -Yet, love, as we wend, the wind bloweth behind us, -And beareth the last tale it telleth to-night, -How here in the spring-tide the message shall find us; -For the hope that none seeketh is coming to light. - -Like the seed of mid-winter, unheeded, unperished, -Like the autumn-sown wheat 'neath the snow lying green, -Like the love that overtook us, unawares and uncherished, -Like the babe 'neath thy girdle that groweth unseen; - -So the hope of the people now buddeth and groweth, -Rest fadeth before it, and blindness and fear; -It biddeth us learn all the wisdom it knoweth; -It hath found us and held us, and biddeth us hear: - -For it beareth the message: "Rise up on the morrow -And go on your ways toward the doubt and the strife; -Join hope to our hope and blend sorrow with sorrow. -And seek for men's love in the short days of life." - -But lo, the old inn, and the lights, and the fire, -And the fiddler's old tune and the shuffling of feet; -Soon for us shall be quiet and rest and desire, -And to-morrow's uprising to deeds shall be sweet. - - - - - -A DEATH SONG - - - -What cometh here from west to east awending? -And who are these, the marchers stern and slow? -We bear the message that the rich are sending -Aback to those who bade them wake and know. -_Not one, not one, nor thousands must they slay, -But one and all if they would dusk the day._ - -We asked them for a life of toilsome earning, -They bade us bide their leisure for our bread; -We craved to speak to tell our woeful learning: -We come back speechless, bearing back our dead. -_Not one, not one, nor thousands must they slay, -But one and all if they would dusk the day._ - -They will not learn; they have no ears to hearken. -They turn their faces from the eyes of fate; -Their gay-lit halls shut out the skies that darken. -But, lo! this dead man knocking at the gate. -_Not one, not one, nor thousands must they slay, -But one and all if they would dusk the day._ - -Here lies the sign that we shall break our prison; -Amidst the storm he won a prisoner's rest; -But in the cloudy dawn the sun arisen -Brings us our day of work to win the best. -_Not one, not one, nor thousands must they slay, -But one and all if they would dusk the day._ - - - - - -ICELAND FIRST SEEN - - -Lo from our loitering ship -a new land at last to be seen; -Toothed rocks down the side of the firth -on the east guard a weary wide lea, -And black slope the hillsides above, -striped adown with their desolate green: -And a peak rises up on the west -from the meeting of cloud and of sea, -Foursquare from base unto point -like the building of Gods that have been, -The last of that waste of the mountains -all cloud-wreathed and snow-flecked and grey, -And bright with the dawn that began -just now at the ending of day. - -Ah! what came we forth for to see -that our hearts are so hot with desire? -Is it enough for our rest, -the sight of this desolate strand, -And the mountain-waste voiceless as death -but for winds that may sleep not nor tire? -Why do we long to wend forth -through the length and breadth of a land, -Dreadful with grinding of ice, -and record of scarce hidden fire, -But that there 'mid the grey grassy dales -sore scarred by the ruining streams -Lives the tale of the Northland of old -and the undying glory of dreams? - -O land, as some cave by the sea -where the treasures of old have been laid, -The sword it may be of a king -whose name was the turning of fight: -Or the staff of some wise of the world -that many things made and unmade. -Or the ring of a woman maybe -whose woe is grown wealth and delight. -No wheat and no wine grows above it, -no orchard for blossom and shade; -The few ships that sail by its blackness -but deem it the mouth of a grave; -Yet sure when the world shall awaken, -this too shall be mighty to save. - -Or rather, O land, if a marvel -it seemeth that men ever sought -Thy wastes for a field and a garden -fulfilled of all wonder and doubt, -And feasted amidst of the winter -when the fight of the year had been fought, -Whose plunder all gathered together -was little to babble about; -Cry aloud from thy wastes, O thou land, -"Not for this nor for that was I wrought -Amid waning of realms and of riches -and death of things worshipped and sure, -I abide here the spouse of a God, -and I made and I make and endure." - -O Queen of the grief without knowledge, -of the courage that may not avail, -Of the longing that may not attain, -of the love that shall never forget, -More joy than the gladness of laughter -thy voice hath amidst of its wail: -More hope than of pleasure fulfilled -amidst of thy blindness is set; -More glorious than gaining of all -thine unfaltering hand that shall fail: -For what is the mark on thy brow -but the brand that thy Brynhild doth bear? -Lone once, and loved and undone -by a love that no ages outwear. - -Ah! when thy Balder comes back, -and bears from the heart of the Sun -Peace and the healing of pain, -and the wisdom that waiteth no more; -And the lilies are laid on thy brow -'mid the crown of the deeds thou hast done; -And the roses spring up by thy feet -that the rocks of the wilderness wore. -Ah! when thy Balder comes back -and we gather the gains he hath won, -Shall we not linger a little -to talk of thy sweetness of old, -Yea, turn back awhile to thy travail -whence the Gods stood aloof to behold? - - - - - -THE RAVEN AND THE KING'S DAUGHTER - - - -THE RAVEN - -King's daughter sitting in tower so high, -_Fair summer is on many a shield._ -Why weepest thou as the clouds go by? -_Fair sing the swans 'twixt firth and field._ -Why weepest thou in the window-seat -Till the tears run through thy fingers sweet? - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -I weep because I sit alone -Betwixt these walls of lime and stone. -Fair folk are in my father's hall, -But for me he built this guarded wall. -And here the gold on the green I sew -Nor tidings of my true-love know. - - -THE RAVEN - -King's daughter, sitting above the sea, -I shall tell thee a tale shall gladden thee. -Yestreen I saw a ship go forth -When the wind blew merry from the north. -And by the tiller Steingrim sat, -And O, but my heart was glad thereat! -For 'twixt ashen plank and dark blue sea -His sword sang sweet of deeds to be. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -O barren sea, thou bitter bird, -And a barren tale my ears have heard. - - -THE RAVEN - -Thy father's men were hard thereby -In byrny bright and helmet high. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -O worser waxeth thy story far, -For these drew upon me bolt and bar. -Fly south, O fowl, to the field of death -For nothing sweet thy grey neb saith. - - -THE RAVEN - -O, there was Olaf the lily-rose, -As fair as any oak that grows. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -O sweet bird, what did he then -Among the spears of my father's men? - - -THE RAVEN - -'Twixt ashen plank and dark blue sea, -He sang: My true love waiteth me. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -As well as this dull floor knows my feet, -I am not weary yet, my sweet. - - -THE RAVEN - -He sang: As once her hand I had, -Her lips at last shall make me glad. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -As once our fingers met, O love, -So shall our lips be fain thereof. - - -THE RAVEN - -He sang: Come wrack and iron and flame, -For what shall breach the wall but fame? - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -Be swift to rise and set, O Sun, -Lest life 'twixt hope and death be done. - - -THE RAVEN - -King's daughter sitting in tower so high, -A gift for my tale ere forth I fly, -The gold from thy finger fair and fine, -Thou hadst it from no love of thine. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -By my father's ring another there is, -I had it with my mother's kiss. -Fly forth, O fowl, across the sea -To win another gift of me. -Fly south to bring me tidings true, -_Fair summer is on many a shield._ -Of the eve grown red with the battle-dew, -_Fair sing the swans 'twixt firth and field._ - - - - -THE RAVEN - -King's daughter sitting in tower so high, -_Fair summer is on many a shield._ -Tidings to hearken ere thou die, -_Fair sing the swans 'twixt firth and field._ -In the Frankish land the spear points met, -And wide about the field was wet. -And high ere the cold moon quenched the sun, -Blew Steingrim's horn for battle won. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -Fair fall thee, fowl! Tell tidings true -Of deeds that men that day did do. - - -THE RAVEN - -Steingrim before his banner went, -And helms were broke and byrnies rent. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -A doughty man and good at need; -Tell men of any other's deed? - - -THE RAVEN - -Where Steingrim through the battle bore -Still Olaf went a foot before. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -O fair with deeds the world doth grow! -Where is my true-love gotten now? - - -THE RAVEN - -Upon the deck beside the mast -He lieth now, and sleepeth fast. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -Heard'st thou before his sleep began -That he spake word of any man? - - -THE RAVEN - -Methought of thee he sang a song, -But nothing now he saith for long. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -And wottest thou where he will wend -With the world before him from end to end? - - -THE RAVEN - -Before the battle joined that day -Steingrim a word to him did say: -"If we bring the banner back in peace, -In the King's house much shall my fame increase; -Till there no guarded door shall be -But it shall open straight to me. -Then to the bower we twain shall go -Where thy love the golden seam doth sew. -I shall bring thee in and lay thine hand -About the neck of that lily-wand. -And let the King be lief or loth -One bed that night shall hold you both." -Now north belike runs Steingrim's prow, -And the rain and the wind from the south do blow. - - -THE KING'S DAUGHTER - -Lo, fowl of death, my mother's ring, -But the bridal song I must learn to sing. -And fain were I for a space alone, -For O the wind, and the wind doth moan. -And I must array the bridal bed, -_Fair summer is on many a shield._ -For O the rain, and the rain drifts red! -_Fair sing the swans 'twixt firth and field._ - - - -Before the day from the night was born, -_Fair summer is on many a shield._ -She heard the blast of Steingrim's horn, -_Fair sing the swans 'twixt firth and field._ -Before the day was waxen fair -Were Steingrim's feet upon the stair. -"O bolt and bar they fall away, -But heavy are Steingrim's feet to-day." -"O heavy the feet of one who bears -The longing of days and the grief of years! -Lie down, lie down, thou lily-wand -That on thy neck I may lay his hand. -Whether the King be lief or loth -To-day one bed shall hold you both. -O thou art still as he is still, -So sore as ye longed to talk your fill -And good it were that I depart, -Now heart is laid so close to heart. -For sure ye shall talk so left alone -_Fair summer is on many a shield._ -Of days to be below the stone." -_Fair sing the swans 'twixt firth and field._ - - - - - -SPRING'S BEDFELLOW - - - -Spring went about the woods to-day, -The soft-foot winter-thief, -And found where idle sorrow lay -'Twixt flower and faded leaf. - -She looked on him, and found him fair -For all she had been told; -She knelt adown beside him there, -And sang of days of old. - -His open eyes beheld her nought, -Yet 'gan his lips to move; -But life and deeds were in her thought, -And he would sing of love. - -So sang they till their eyes did meet, -And faded fear and shame; -More bold he grew, and she more sweet, -Until they sang the same. - -Until, say they who know the thing, -Their very lips did kiss, -And Sorrow laid abed with Spring -Begat an earthly bliss. - - - - - -MEETING IN WINTER - - - -Winter in the world it is, -Round about the unhoped kiss -Whose dream I long have sorrowed o'er; -Round about the longing sore, -That the touch of thee shall turn -Into joy too deep to burn. - -Round thine eyes and round thy mouth -Passeth no murmur of the south, -When my lips a little while -Leave thy quivering tender smile, -As we twain, hand holding hand, -Once again together stand. - -Sweet is that, as all is sweet; -For the white drift shalt thou meet, -Kind and cold-cheeked and mine own, -Wrapped about with deep-furred gown -In the broad-wheeled chariot: -Then the north shall spare us not; -The wide-reaching waste of snow -Wilder, lonelier yet shall grow -As the reddened sun falls down. -But the warders of the town, -When they flash the torches out -O'er the snow amid their doubt, -And their eyes at last behold -Thy red-litten hair of gold; -Shall they open, or in fear -Cry, "Alas! what cometh here? -Whence hath come this Heavenly One -To tell of all the world undone?" - -They shall open, and we shall see -The long street litten scantily -By the long stream of light before -The guest-hall's half-open door; -And our horses' bells shall cease -As we reach the place of peace; -Thou shalt tremble, as at last -The worn threshold is o'er-past, -And the fire-light blindeth thee: -Trembling shalt thou cling to me -As the sleepy merchants stare -At thy cold hands slim and fair -Thy soft eyes and happy lips -Worth all lading of their ships. - -O my love, how sweet and sweet -That first kissing of thy feet, -When the fire is sunk alow, -And the hall made empty now -Groweth solemn, dim and vast! -O my love, the night shall last -Longer than men tell thereof -Laden with our lonely love! - - - - - -THE TWO SIDES OF THE RIVER - - - -THE YOUTHS - -O winter, O white winter, wert thou gone, -No more within the wilds were I alone, -Leaping with bent bow over stock and stone! - -No more alone my love the lamp should burn, -Watching the weary spindle twist and turn, -Or o'er the web hold back her tears and yearn: -O winter, O white winter, wert thou gone! - - -THE MAIDENS - -Sweet thoughts fly swiftlier than the drifting snow, -And with the twisting threads sweet longings grow, -And o'er the web sweet pictures come and go, -For no white winter are we long alone. - - -THE YOUTHS - -O stream so changed, what hast thou done to me, -That I thy glittering ford no more can see -Wreathing with white her fair feet lovingly? - -See, in the rain she stands, and, looking down -With frightened eyes upon thy whirlpools brown, -Drops to her feet again her girded gown. -O hurrying turbid stream, what hast thou done? - - -THE MAIDENS - -The clouds lift, telling of a happier day -When through the thin stream I shall take my way, -Girt round with gold, and garlanded with may, -What rushing stream can keep us long alone? - - -THE YOUTHS - -O burning Sun, O master of unrest, -Why must we, toiling, cast away the best, -Now, when the bird sleeps by her empty nest? - -See, with my garland lying at her feet, -In lonely labour stands mine own, my sweet, -Above the quern half-filled with half-ground wheat. -O red taskmaster, that thy flames were done! - - -THE MAIDENS - -O love, to-night across the half-shorn plain -Shall I not go to meet the yellow wain, -A look of love at end of toil to gain? -What flaming sun can keep us long alone? - - -THE YOUTHS - -To-morrow, said I, is grape gathering o'er; -To-morrow, and our loves are twinned no more. -To-morrow came, to bring us woe and war. - -What have I done, that I should stand with these -Hearkening the dread shouts borne upon the breeze, -While she, far off, sits weeping 'neath her trees? -Alas, O kings, what is it ye have done? - - -THE MAIDENS - -Come, love, delay not; come, and slay my dread! -Already is the banquet table spread; -In the cool chamber flower-strewn is my bed: -Come, love, what king shall keep us long alone? - - -THE YOUTHS - -O city, city, open thou thy gate! -See, with life snatched from out the hand of fate! -How on thy glittering triumph I must wait! - -Are not her hands stretched out to me? Her eyes, -Grow they not weary as each new hope dies, -And lone before her still the long road lies? -O golden city, fain would I be gone! - - -THE MAIDENS - -And thou art happy, amid shouts and songs, -And all that unto conquering men belongs. -Night hath no fear for me, and day no wrongs. -What brazen city gates can keep us, lone? - - -THE YOUTHS - -O long, long road, how bare thou art, and grey! -Hill after hill thou climbest, and the day -Is ended now, O moonlit endless way! - -And she is standing where the rushes grow, -And still with white hand shades her anxious brow, -Though 'neath the world the sun is fallen now, -O dreary road, when will thy leagues be done? - - -THE MAIDENS - -O tremblest thou, grey road, or do my feet -Tremble with joy, thy flinty face to meet? -Because my love's eyes soon mine eyes shall greet? -No heart thou hast to keep us long alone. - - -THE YOUTHS - -O wilt thou ne'er depart, thou heavy night? -When will thy slaying bring on the morning bright, -That leads my weary feet to my delight? - -Why lingerest thou, filling with wandering fears -My lone love's tired heart; her eyes with tears -For thoughts like sorrow for the vanished years? -Weaver of ill thoughts, when wilt thou be gone? - - -THE MAIDENS - -Love, to the east are thine eyes turned as mine, -In patient watching for the night's decline? -And hast thou noted this grey widening line? -Can any darkness keep us long alone? - - -THE YOUTHS - -O day, O day, is it a little thing -That thou so long unto thy life must cling, -Because I gave thee such a welcoming? - -I called thee king of all felicity, -I praised thee that thou broughtest joy so nigh; -Thine hours are turned to years, thou wilt not die; -O day so longed for, would that thou wert gone! - - -THE MAIDENS - -The light fails, love; the long day soon shall be -Nought but a pensive happy memory -Blessed for the tales it told to thee and me. -How hard it was, O love, to be alone. - - - - - -LOVE FULFILLED - - - -Hast thou longed through weary days -For the sight of one loved face? -Hast thou cried aloud for rest, -Mid the pain of sundering hours; -Cried aloud for sleep and death, -Since the sweet unhoped for best -Was a shadow and a breath? -O, long now, for no fear lowers -O'er these faint feet-kissing flowers. -O, rest now; and yet in sleep -All thy longing shalt thou keep. - -Thou shalt rest and have no fear -Of a dull awaking near, -Of a life for ever blind, -Uncontent and waste and wide. -Thou shalt wake and think it sweet -That thy love is near and kind. -Sweeter still for lips to meet; -Sweetest that thine heart doth hide -Longing all unsatisfied -With all longing's answering -Howsoever close ye cling. - -Thou rememberest how of old -E'en thy very pain grew cold, -How thou might'st not measure bliss -E'en when eyes and hands drew nigh. -Thou rememberest all regret -For the scarce remembered kiss. -The lost dream of how they met, -Mouths once parched with misery. -Then seemed Love born but to die, -Now unrest, pain, bliss are one, -Love, unhidden and alone. - - - - - -THE KING OF DENMARK'S SONS - - - -In Denmark gone is many a year, -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun,_ -Two sons of Gorm the King there were, -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - -Both these were gotten in lawful bed -Of Thyrre Denmark's Surety-head. - -Fair was Knut of face and limb -As the breast of the Queen that suckled him. - -But Harald was hot of hand and heart -As lips of lovers ere they part. - -Knut sat at home in all men's love, -But over the seas must Harald rove. - -And for every deed by Harald won, -Gorm laid more love on Knut alone. - -On a high-tide spake the King in hall, -"Old I grow as the leaves that fall. - -"Knut shall reign when I am dead, -So shall the land have peace and aid. - -"But many a ship shall Harald have, -For I deem the sea well wrought for his grave." - -Then none spake save the King again, -"If Knut die all my days be vain. - -"And whoso the tale of his death shall tell, -Hath spoken a word to gain him hell. - -"Lo here a doom I will not break," -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun._ -"For life or death or any man's sake," -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - - - -O merry days in the summer-tide! -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun._ -When the ships sail fair and the young men ride, -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - -Now Harald has got him east away, -And each morrow of fight was a gainful day. - -But Knut is to his fosterer gone -To deal in deeds of peace alone. - -So wear the days, and well it is -Such lovely lords should dwell in bliss. - -O merry in the winter-tide -When men to Yule-feast wend them wide. - -And here lieth Knut in the Lima-firth -When the lift is low o'er the Danish earth. - -"Tell me now, Shipmaster mine, -What are yon torches there that shine?" - -"Lord, no torches may these be -But golden prows across the sea. - -"For over there the sun shines now -And the gold worms gape from every prow." - -The sun and the wind came down o'er the sea, -"Tell them over how many they be!" - -"Ten I tell with shield-hung sides. -Nought but a fool his death abides." - -"Ten thou tellest, and we be three, -Good need that we do manfully. - -"Good fellows, grip the shield and spear -For Harald my brother draweth near. - -"Well breakfast we when night is done, -And Valhall's cock crows up the sun." - -Up spoke Harald in wrathful case: -"I would have word with this waxen face! - -"What wilt thou pay, thou huckstered -That I let thee live another year? - -"For oath that thou wilt never reign -Will I let thee live a year or twain." - -"Kisses and love shalt thou have of me -If yet my liegeman thou wilt be. - -"But stroke of sword, and dint of axe, -Or ere thou makest my face as wax." - -As thick the arrows fell around -As fall sere leaves on autumn ground. - -In many a cheek the red did wane -No maid might ever kiss again. - -"Lay me aboard," Lord Harald said, -"The winter day will soon be dead! - -"Lay me aboard the bastard's ship, -And see to it lest your grapnels slip!" - -Then some they knelt and some they drowned, -And some lay dead Lord Knut around. - -"Look here at the wax-white corpse of him, -As fair as the Queen in face and limb! - -"Make now for the shore, for the moon is bright, -And I would be home ere the end of night. - -"Two sons last night had Thyrre the Queen, -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun._ -And both she may lack ere the woods wax green," -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - - - -A little before the morning tide, -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun,_ -Queen Thyrre looked out of her window-side, -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - -"O men-at-arms, what men be ye?" -"Harald thy son come over the sea." - -"Why is thy face so pale, my son?" -"It may be red or day is done." - -"O evil words of an evil hour! -Come, sweet son, to thy mother's bower!" - -None from the Queen's bower went that day -Till dark night over the meadows lay. - -None thenceforth heard wail or cry -Till the King's feast was waxen high. - -Then into the hall Lord Harald came -When the great wax lights were all aflame. - -"What tidings, son, dost thou bear to me? -Speak out before I drink with thee." - -"Tidings small for a seafarer. -Two falcons in the sea-cliffs were; - -"And one was white and one was grey, -And they fell to battle on a day; - -"They fought in the sun, they fought in the wind, -No boot the white fowl's wounds to bind. - -"They fought in the wind, they fought in the sun, -And the white fowl died when the play was done." - -"Small tidings these to bear o'er the sea! -Good hap that nothing worser they be! - -"Small tidings for a travelled man! -Drink with me, son, whiles yet ye can! - -"Drink with me ere thy day and mine, -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun,_ -Be nought but a tale told over the wine." -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - - - -Now fareth the King with his men to sleep, -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun,_ -And dim the maids from the Queen's bower creep, -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - -And in the hall is little light, -And there standeth the Queen with cheeks full white. - -And soft the feet of women fall -From end to end of the King's great hall. - -These bear the gold-wrought cloths away, -And in other wise the hall array; - -Till all is black that hath been gold -So heavy a tale there must be told. - -The morrow men looked on King Gorm and said, -"Hath he dreamed a dream or beheld the dead? - -"Why is he sad who should be gay? -Why are the old man's lips so grey?" - -Slow paced the King adown the hall, -Nor looked aside to either wall, - -Till in high-seat there he sat him down, -And deadly old men deemed him grown. - -"O Queen, what thrall's hands durst do this, -To strip my hall of mirth and bliss?" - -"No thrall's hands in the hangings were, -No thrall's hands made the tenters bare. - -"King's daughters' hands have done the deed, -The hands of Denmark's Surety-head." - -"Nought betters the deed thy word unsaid. -Tell me that Knut my son is dead!" - -She said: "The doom on thee, O King! -For thine own lips have said the thing." - -Men looked to see the King arise, -The death of men within his eyes. - -Men looked to see his bitter sword -That once cleared ships from board to board. - -But in the hall no sword gleamed wide, -His hand fell down along his side. - -No red there came into his cheek, -He fell aback as one made weak. - -His wan cheek brushed the high-seat's side, -And in the noon of day he died. - -So lieth King Gorm beneath the grass, -But from mouth to mouth this tale did pass. - -And Harald reigned and went his way, -_So fair upriseth the rim of the sun._ -And still is the story told to-day, -_So grey is the sea when day is done._ - - - - -ON THE EDGE OF THE WILDERNESS - - - -PUELLÆ - -Whence comest thou, and whither goest thou? -Abide! abide! longer the shadows grow; -What hopest thou the dark to thee will show? - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -Why should I name the land across the sea -Wherein I first took hold on misery? -Why should I name the land that flees from me? - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -What wilt thou do within the desert place -Whereto thou turnest now thy careful face? -Stay but a while to tell us of thy case. - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -What, nigh the journey's end shall I abide, -When in the waste mine own love wanders wide, -When from all men for me she still doth hide? - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Nay, nay; but rather she forgetteth thee, -To sit upon the shore of some warm sea, -Or in green gardens where sweet fountains be. - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -Will ye then keep me from the wilderness, -Where I at least, alone with my distress, -The quiet land of changing dreams may bless? - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Forget the false forgetter and be wise, -And 'mid these clinging hands and loving eyes, -Dream, not in vain, thou knowest paradise. - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -Ah! with your sweet eyes shorten not the day, -Nor let your gentle hands my journey stay! -Perchance love is not wholly cast away. - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Pluck love away as thou wouldst pluck a thorn -From out thy flesh; for why shouldst thou be born -To bear a life so wasted and forlorn? - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -Yea, why then was I born, since hope is pain, -And life a lingering death, and faith but vain, -And love the loss of all I seemed to gain? - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Dost thou believe that this shall ever be, -That in our land no face thou e'er shalt see, -No voice thou e'er shalt hear to gladden thee? - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -No longer do I know of good or bad, -I have forgotten that I once was glad; -I do but chase a dream that I have had. - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Stay! take one image for thy dreamful night; -Come, look at her, who in the world's despite -Weeps for delaying love and lost delight. - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -Mock me not till to-morrow. Mock the dead, -They will not heed it, or turn round the head, -To note who faithless are, and who are wed. - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -We mock thee not. Hast thou not heard of those -Whose faithful love the loved heart holds so close, -That death must wait till one word lets it loose? - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -I hear you not: the wind from off the waste -Sighs like a song that bids me make good haste -The wave of sweet forgetfulness to taste. - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Come back! like such a singer is the wind, -As to a sad tune sings fair words and kind, -That he with happy tears all eyes may blind! - -Abide! abide! for we are happy here. - - -AMANS - -Did I not hear her sweet voice cry from far, -That o'er the lonely waste fair fields there are, -Fair days that know not any change or care? - -Let me depart, since ye are happy here. - - -PUELLÆ - -Oh, no! not far thou heardest her, but nigh; -Nigh, 'twixt the waste's edge and the darkling sky. -Turn back again, too soon it is to die. - -Abide! a little while be happy here. - - -AMANS - -How with the lapse of lone years could I strive, -And can I die now that thou biddest live? -What joy this space 'twixt birth and death can give. - -Can we depart, who are so happy here? - - - - - -A GARDEN BY THE SEA - - -I know a little garden-close, -Set thick with lily and red rose, -Where I would wander if I might -From dewy morn to dewy night, -And have one with me wandering. - -And though within it no birds sing, -And though no pillared house is there, -And though the apple-boughs are bare -Of fruit and blossom, would to God -Her feet upon the green grass trod, -And I beheld them as before. - -There comes a murmur from the shore, -And in the close two fair streams are, -Drawn from the purple hills afar, -Drawn down unto the restless sea: -Dark hills whose heath-bloom feeds no bee, -Dark shore no ship has ever seen, -Tormented by the billows green -Whose murmur comes unceasingly -Unto the place for which I cry. - -For which I cry both day and night, -For which I let slip all delight, -Whereby I grow both deaf and blind, -Careless to win, unskilled to find, -And quick to lose what all men seek. - -Yet tottering as I am and weak, -Still have I left a little breath -To seek within the jaws of death -An entrance to that happy place, -To seek the unforgotten face, -Once seen, once kissed, once reft from me -Anigh the murmuring of the sea. - - - - - -MOTHER AND SON - - -Now sleeps the land of houses, -and dead night holds the street, -And there thou liest, my baby, -and sleepest soft and sweet; -My man is away for awhile, -but safe and alone we lie, -And none heareth thy breath but thy mother, -and the moon looking down from the sky -On the weary waste of the town, -as it looked on the grass-edged road -Still warm with yesterday's sun, -when I left my old abode; -Hand in hand with my love, -that night of all nights in the year; -When the river of love o'erflowed -and drowned all doubt and fear, -And we two were alone in the world, -and once if never again, -We knew of the secret of earth -and the tale of its labour and pain. - -Lo amidst London I lift thee, -and how little and light thou art, -And thou without hope or fear -thou fear and hope of my heart! -Lo here thy body beginning, -O son, and thy soul and thy life; -But how will it be if thou livest, -and enterest into the strife, -And in love we dwell together -when the man is grown in thee, -When thy sweet speech I shall hearken, -and yet 'twixt thee and me -Shall rise that wall of distance, -that round each one doth grow, -And maketh it hard and bitter -each other's thought to know. - -Now, therefore, while yet thou art little -and hast no thought of thine own, -I will tell thee a word of the world; -of the hope whence thou hast grown; -Of the love that once begat thee, -of the sorrow that hath made -Thy little heart of hunger, -and thy hands on my bosom laid. -Then mayst thou remember hereafter, -as whiles when people say -All this hath happened before -in the life of another day; -So mayst thou dimly remember -this tale of thy mother's voice, -As oft in the calm of dawning -I have heard the birds rejoice, -As oft I have heard the storm-wind -go moaning through the wood; -And I knew that earth was speaking, -and the mother's voice was good. - -Now, to thee alone will I tell it -that thy mother's body is fair, -In the guise of the country maidens -Who play with the sun and the air; -Who have stood in the row of the reapers -in the August afternoon, -Who have sat by the frozen water -in the high day of the moon, -When the lights of the Christmas feasting -were dead in the house on the hill, -And the wild geese gone to the salt-marsh -had left the winter still. -Yea, I am fair, my firstling; -if thou couldst but remember me! -The hair that thy small hand clutcheth -is a goodly sight to see; -I am true, but my face is a snare; -soft and deep are my eyes, -And they seem for men's beguiling -fulfilled with the dreams of the wise. -Kind are my lips, and they look -as though my soul had learned -Deep things I have never heard of. -My face and my hands are burned -By the lovely sun of the acres; -three months of London town -And thy birth-bed have bleached them indeed, -"But lo, where the edge of the gown" -(So said thy father) "is parting -the wrist that is white as the curd -From the brown of the hand that I love, -bright as the wing of a bird." - -Such is thy mother, O firstling, -yet strong as the maidens of old, -Whose spears and whose swords were the warders -of homestead, of field, and of fold. -Oft were my feet on the highway, -often they wearied the grass; -From dusk unto dusk of the summer -three times in a week would I pass -To the downs from the house on the river -through the waves of the blossoming corn. -Fair then I lay down in the even, -and fresh I arose on the morn, -And scarce in the noon was I weary. -Ah, son, in the days of thy strife, -If thy soul could but harbour a dream -of the blossom of my life! -It would be as the sunlit meadows -beheld from a tossing sea, -And thy soul should look on a vision -of the peace that is to be. - -Yet, yet the tears on my cheek! -and what is this doth move -My heart to thy heart, beloved, -save the flood of yearning love? -For fair and fierce is thy father, -and soft and strange are his eyes -That look on the days that shall be -with the hope of the brave and the wise. -It was many a day that we laughed, -as over the meadows we walked, -And many a day I hearkened -and the pictures came as he talked; -It was many a day that we longed, -and we lingered late at eve -Ere speech from speech was sundered, -and my hand his hand could leave. -Then I wept when I was alone, -and I longed till the daylight came; -And down the stairs I stole, -and there was our housekeeping dame -(No mother of me, the foundling) -kindling the fire betimes -Ere the haymaking folk went forth -to the meadows down by the limes; -All things I saw at a glance; -the quickening fire-tongues leapt -Through the crackling heap of sticks, -and the sweet smoke up from it crept, -And close to the very hearth -the low sun flooded the floor, -And the cat and her kittens played -in the sun by the open door. -The garden was fair in the morning, -and there in the road he stood -Beyond the crimson daisies -and the bush of southernwood. -Then side by side together -through the grey-walled place we went, -And O the fear departed, -and the rest and sweet content! - -Son, sorrow and wisdom he taught me, -and sore I grieved and learned -As we twain grew into one; -and the heart within me burned -With the very hopes of his heart. -Ah, son, it is piteous, -But never again in my life -shall I dare to speak to thee thus; -So may these lonely words -about thee creep and cling, -These words of the lonely night -in the days of our wayfaring. -Many a child of woman -to-night is born in the town, -The desert of folly and wrong; -and of what and whence are they grown? -Many and many an one -of wont and use is born; -For a husband is taken to bed -as a hat or a ribbon is worn. -Prudence begets her thousands; -"good is a housekeeper's life, -So shall I sell my body -that I may be matron and wife." -"And I shall endure foul wedlock -and bear the children of need." -Some are there born of hate, -many the children of greed. -"I, I too can be wedded, -though thou my love hast got." -"I am fair and hard of heart, -and riches shall be my lot." -And all these are the good and the happy, -on whom the world dawns fair. -O son, when wilt thou learn -of those that are born of despair, -As the fabled mud of the Nile -that quickens under the sun -With a growth of creeping things, -half dead when just begun? -E'en such is the care of Nature -that man should never die, -Though she breed of the fools of the earth, -and the dregs of the city sty. - -But thou, O son, O son, -of very love wert born, -When our hope fulfilled bred hope, -and fear was a folly outworn. -On the eve of the toil and the battle -all sorrow and grief we weighed, -We hoped and we were not ashamed, -we knew and we were not afraid. - -Now waneth the night and the moon; -ah, son, it is piteous -That never again in my life -shall I dare to speak to thee thus. -But sure from the wise and the simple -shall the mighty come to birth; -And fair were my fate, beloved, -if I be yet on the earth -When the world is awaken at last, -and from mouth to mouth they tell -Of thy love and thy deeds and thy valour, -and thy hope that nought can quell. - - - - - -THUNDER IN THE GARDEN - - -When the boughs of the garden hang heavy with rain -And the blackbird reneweth his song, -And the thunder departing yet rolleth again, -I remember the ending of wrong. - -When the day that was dusk while his death was aloof -Is ending wide-gleaming and strange -For the clearness of all things beneath the world's roof, -I call back the wild chance and the change. - -For once we twain sat through the hot afternoon -While the rain held aloof for a while, -Till she, the soft-clad, for the glory of June -Changed all with the change of her smile. - -For her smile was of longing, no longer of glee, -And her fingers, entwined with mine own, -With caresses unquiet sought kindness of me -For the gift that I never had known. - -Then down rushed the rain, and the voice of the thunder -Smote dumb all the sound of the street, -And I to myself was grown nought but a wonder, -As she leaned down my kisses to meet. - -That she craved for my lips that had craved her so often, -And the hand that had trembled to touch, -That the tears filled her eyes I had hoped not to soften -In this world was a marvel too much. - -It was dusk 'mid the thunder, dusk e'en as the night, -When first brake out our love like the storm, -But no night-hour was it, and back came the light -While our hands with each other were warm. - -And her smile killed with kisses, came back as at first -As she rose up and led me along, -And out to the garden, where nought was athirst, -And the blackbird renewing his song. - -Earth's fragrance went with her, as in the wet grass, -Her feet little hidden were set; -She bent down her head, 'neath the roses to pass, -And her arm with the lily was wet. - -In the garden we wandered while day waned apace -And the thunder was dying aloof; -Till the moon o'er the minster-wall lifted his face, -And grey gleamed out the lead of the roof. - -Then we turned from the blossoms, and cold were they grown: -In the trees the wind westering moved; -Till over the threshold back fluttered her gown, -And in the dark house was I loved. - - - - - -THE GOD OF THE POOR - - -There was a lord that hight Maltete, -Among great lords he was right great, -On poor folk trod he like the dirt, -None but God might do him hurt. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -With a grace of prayers sung loud and late -Many a widow's house he ate; -Many a poor knight at his hands -Lost his house and narrow lands. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -He burnt the harvests many a time, -He made fair houses heaps of lime; -Whatso man loved wife or maid -Of Evil-head was sore afraid. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -He slew good men and spared the bad; -Too long a day the foul dog had, -E'en as all dogs will have their day; -But God is as strong as man, I say. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -For a valiant knight, men called Boncoeur, -Had hope he should not long endure, -And gathered to him much good folk, -Hardy hearts to break the yoke. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -But Boncoeur deemed it would be vain -To strive his guarded house to gain; -Therefore, within a little while, -He set himself to work by guile. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -He knew that Maltete loved right well -Red gold and heavy. If from hell -The Devil had cried, "Take this gold cup," -Down had he gone to fetch it up. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Twenty poor men's lives were nought -To him, beside a ring well wrought. -The pommel of his hunting-knife -Was worth ten times a poor man's life. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -A squire new-come from over-sea -Boncoeur called to him privily, -And when he knew his lord's intent, -Clad like a churl therefrom he went -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -But when he came where dwelt Maltete, -With few words did he pass the gate, -For Maltete built him walls anew, -And, wageless, folk from field he drew. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Now passed the squire through this and that, -Till he came to where Sir Maltete sat, -And over red wine wagged his beard: -Then spoke the squire as one afeard. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Lord, give me grace, for privily -I have a little word for thee." -"Speak out," said Maltete, "have no fear, -For how can thy life to thee be dear?" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Such an one I know," he said, -"Who hideth store of money red." -Maltete grinned at him cruelly: -"Thou florin-maker, come anigh." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"E'en such as thou once preached of gold, -And showed me lies in books full old, -Nought gat I but evil brass, -Therefore came he to the worser pass." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Hast thou will to see his skin? -I keep my heaviest marks therein, -For since nought else of wealth had he, -I deemed full well he owed it me." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Nought know I of philosophy," -The other said, "nor do I lie. -Before the moon begins to shine, -May all this heap of gold be thine." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Ten leagues from this a man there is, -Who seemeth to know but little bliss, -And yet full many a pound of gold -A dry well nigh his house doth hold." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"John-a-Wood is he called, fair lord, -Nor know I whence he hath this hoard." -Then Maltete said, "As God made me, -A wizard over-bold is he!" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"It were a good deed, as I am a knight, -To burn him in a fire bright; -This John-a-Wood shall surely die, -And his gold in my strong chest shall lie." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"This very night, I make mine avow. -The truth of this mine eyes shall know." -Then spoke an old knight in the hall, -"Who knoweth what things may befall?" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"I rede thee go with a great rout, -For thy foes they ride thick about." -"Thou and the devil may keep my foes, -Thou redest me this gold to lose." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"I shall go with but some four or five, -So shall I take my thief alive. -For if a great rout he shall see, -Will he not hide his wealth from me?" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -The old knight muttered under his breath, -"Then mayhap ye shall but ride to death." -But Maltete turned him quickly round, -"Bind me this grey-beard under ground!" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Because ye are old, ye think to jape. -Take heed, ye shall not long escape. -When I come back safe, old carle, perdie, -Thine head shall brush the linden-tree." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Therewith he rode with his five men, -And Boncoeur's spy, for good leagues ten, -Until they left the beaten way, -And dusk it grew at end of day. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -There, in a clearing of the wood, -Was John's house, neither fair nor good. -In a ragged plot his house anigh, -Thin coleworts grew but wretchedly. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -John-a-Wood in his doorway sat, -Turning over this and that, -And chiefly how he best might thrive, -For he had will enough to live. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Green coleworts from a wooden bowl -He ate; but careful was his soul, -For if he saw another day, -Thenceforth was he in Boncoeur's pay. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -So when he saw how Maltete came, -He said, "Beginneth now the game!" -And in the doorway did he stand -Trembling, with hand joined fast to hand. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -When Maltete did this carle behold -Somewhat he doubted of his gold, -But cried out, "Where is now thy store -Thou hast through books of wicked lore?" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Then said the poor man, right humbly, -"Fair lord, this was not made by me, -I found it in mine own dry well, -And had a mind thy grace to tell. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Therefrom, my lord, a cup I took -This day, that thou thereon mightst look, -And know me to be leal and true," -And from his coat the cup he drew. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Then Maltete took it in his hand, -Nor knew he aught that it used to stand -On Boncoeur's cupboard many a day. -"Go on," he said, "and show the way. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Give me thy gold, and thou shalt live, -Yea, in my house thou well mayst thrive." -John turned about and 'gan to go -Unto the wood with footsteps slow. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -But as they passed by John's woodstack, -Growled Maltete, "Nothing now doth lack -Wherewith to light a merry fire, -And give my wizard all his hire." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - - - -The western sky was red as blood, -Darker grew the oaken-wood; -"Thief and carle, where are ye gone? -Why are we in the wood alone? -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"What is the sound of this mighty horn? -Ah, God! that ever I was born! -The basnets flash from tree to tree; -Show me, thou Christ, the way to flee!" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Boncoeur it was with fifty men; -Maltete was but one to ten, -And his own folk prayed for grace, -With empty hands in that lone place. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Grace shall ye have," Boncoeur said, -"All of you but Evil-head." -Lowly could that great lord be, -Who could pray so well as he? -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Then could Maltete howl and cry, -Little will he had to die. -Soft was his speech, now it was late, -But who had will to save Maltete? -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -They brought him to the house again, -And toward the road he looked in vain. -Lonely and bare was the great highway, -Under the gathering moonlight grey. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -They took off his gilt basnet, -That he should die there was no let; -They took off his coat of steel, -A damned man he well might feel. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Will ye all be rich as kings, -Lacking naught of all good things?" -"Nothing do we lack this eve; -When thou art dead, how can we grieve?" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -"Let me drink water ere I die, -None henceforth comes my lips anigh." -They brought it him in that bowl of wood. -He said, "This is but poor men's blood!" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -They brought it him in the cup of gold. -He said, "The women I have sold -Have wept it full of salt for me; -I shall die gaping thirstily." -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -On the threshold of that poor homestead -They smote off his evil head; -They set it high on a great spear, -And rode away with merry cheer. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -At the dawn, in lordly state, -They rode to Maltete's castle-gate. -"Whoso willeth laud to win, -Make haste to let your masters in!" -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Forthwith opened they the gate, -No man was sorry for Maltete. -Boncoeur conquered all his lands, -A good knight was he of his hands. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -Good men he loved, and hated bad; -Joyful days and sweet he had; -Good deeds did he plenteously; -Beneath him folk lived frank and free. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -He lived long, with merry days; -None said aught of him but praise. -God on him have full mercy; -A good knight merciful was he. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - - - -The great lord, called Maltete, is dead; -Grass grows above his feet and head, -And a holly-bush grows up between -His rib-bones gotten white and clean. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - -A carle's sheep-dog certainly -Is a mightier thing than he. -Till London-bridge shall cross the Nen, -Take we heed of such-like men. -_Deus est Deus pauperum._ - - - - - -LOVE'S REWARD - - -It was a knight of the southern land -Rode forth upon the way -When the birds sang sweet on either hand -About the middle of the May. - -But when he came to the lily-close, -Thereby so fair a maiden stood, -That neither the lily nor the rose -Seemed any longer fair nor good. - -"All hail, thou rose and lily-bough! -What dost thou weeping here, -For the days of May are sweet enow, -And the nights of May are dear?" - -"Well may I weep and make my moan. -Who am bond and captive here; -Well may I weep who lie alone, -Though May be waxen dear." - -"And is there none shall ransom thee? -Mayst thou no borrow find?" -"Nay, what man may my borrow be, -When all my wealth is left behind?" - -"Perchance some ring is left with thee, -Some belt that did thy body bind?" -"Nay, no man may my borrow be, -My rings and belt are left behind." - -"The shoes that the May-blooms kissed on thee -Might yet be things to some men's mind." -"Nay, no man may my borrow be, -My golden shoes are left behind." - -"The milk-white sark that covered thee -A dear-bought token some should find." -"Nay, no man may my borrow be, -My silken sark is left behind." - -"The kiss of thy mouth and the love of thee -Better than world's wealth should I find." -"Nay, thou mayst not my borrow be, -For all my love is left behind. - -"A year agone come Midsummer-night -I woke by the Northern sea; -I lay and dreamed of my delight -Till love no more would let me be. - -"Seaward I went by night and cloud -To hear the white swans sing; -But though they sang both clear and loud, -I hearkened a sweeter thing. - -"O sweet and sweet as none may tell -Was the speech so close 'twixt lip and lip: -But fast, unseen, the black oars fell -That drave to shore the rover's ship. - -"My love lay bloody on the strand -Ere stars were waxen wan: -Naught lacketh graves the Northern land -If to-day it lack a lovelier man. - -"I sat and wept beside the mast -When the stars were gone away. -Naught lacketh the Northland joy gone past -If it lack the night and day." - - - -"Is there no place in any land -Where thou wouldst rather be than here?" -"Yea, a lone grave on a cold sea-strand -My heart for a little holdeth dear." - -"Of all the deeds that women do -Is there none shall bring thee some delight?" -"To lie down and die where lay we two -Upon Midsummer night." - -"I will bring thee there where thou wouldst be, -A borrow shalt thou find." -"Wherewith shall I reward it thee -For wealth and good-hap left behind?" - -"A kiss from lips that love not me, -A good-night somewhat kind; -A narrow house to share with thee -When we leave the world behind." - - - -They have taken ship and sailed away -Across the Southland main; -They have sailed by hills were green and gay, -A land of goods and gain. - -They have sailed by sea-cliffs stark and white -And hillsides fair enow; -They have sailed by lands of little night -Where great the groves did grow. - -They have sailed by islands in the sea -That the clouds lay thick about; -And into a main where few ships be -Amidst of dread and doubt. - -With broken mast and battered side -They drave amidst the tempest's heart; -But why should death to these betide -Whom love did hold so well apart? - -The flood it drave them toward the strand, -The ebb it drew them fro; -The swallowing seas that tore the land -Cast them ashore and let them go. - -"Is this the land? is this the land, -Where life and I must part a-twain?" -"Yea, this is e'en the sea-washed strand -That made me yoke-fellow of pain. - -"The strand is this, the sea is this, -The grey bent and the mountains grey; -But no mound here his grave-mound is; -Where have they borne my love away?" - -"What man is this with shield and spear -Comes riding down the bent to us? -A goodly man forsooth he were -But for his visage piteous." - -"Ghost of my love, so kind of yore, -Art thou not somewhat gladder grown -To feel my feet upon this shore? -O love, thou shalt not long be lone." - -"Ghost of my love, each day I come -To see where God first wrought us wrong: -Now kind thou com'st to call me home. -Be sure I shall not tarry long." - - - -"Come here, my love; come here for rest, -So sore as my body longs for thee! -My heart shall beat against thy breast, -As arms of thine shall comfort me." - -"Love, let thy lips depart no more -From those same eyes they once did kiss, -The very bosom wounded sore -When sorrow clave the heart of bliss!" - -O was it day, or was it night, -As there they told their love again? -The high-tide of the sun's delight, -Or whirl of wind and drift of rain? - -"Speak sweet, my love, of how it fell, -And how thou cam'st across the sea, -And what kind heart hath served thee well, -And who thy borrow there might be?" - -Naught but the wind and sea made moan -As hastily she turned her round; -From light clouds wept the morn alone, -Not the dead corpse upon the ground. - -"O look, my love, for here is he -Who once of all the world was kind, -And led my sad heart o'er the sea! -And now must he be left behind." - -She kissed his lips that yet did smile, -She kissed his eyes that were not sad: -"O thou who sorrow didst beguile, -And now wouldst have me wholly glad! - -"A little gift is this," she said, -"Thou once hadst deemed great gift enow; -Yet surely shalt thou rest thine head -Where I one day shall lie alow. - -"There shalt thou wake to think of me, -And by thy face my face shall find; -And I shall then thy borrow be -When all the world is left behind." - - - - - -THE FOLK-MOTE BY THE RIVER - - - -It was up in the morn we rose betimes -From the hall-floor hard by the row of limes. - -It was but John the Red and I, -And we were the brethren of Gregory; - -And Gregory the Wright was one -Of the valiant men beneath the sun, - -And what he bade us that we did -For ne'er he kept his counsel hid. - -So out we went, and the clattering latch -Woke up the swallows under the thatch. - -It was dark in the porch, but our scythes we felt, -And thrust the whetstone under the belt. - -Through the cold garden boughs we went -Where the tumbling roses shed their scent. - -Then out a-gates and away we strode -O'er the dewy straws on the dusty road, - -And there was the mead by the town-reeve's close -Where the hedge was sweet with the wilding rose. - -Then into the mowing grass we went -Ere the very last of the night was spent. - -Young was the moon, and he was gone, -So we whet our scythes by the stars alone: - -But or ever the long blades felt the hay -Afar in the East the dawn was grey. - -Or ever we struck our earliest stroke -The thrush in the hawthorn-bush awoke. - -While yet the bloom of the swathe was dim -The blackbird's bill had answered him. - -Ere half of the road to the river was shorn -The sunbeam smote the twisted thorn. - - - -Now wide was the way 'twixt the standing grass -For the townsfolk unto the mote to pass, - -And so when all our work was done -We sat to breakfast in the sun, - -While down in the stream the dragon-fly -'Twixt the quivering rushes flickered by; - -And though our knives shone sharp and white -The swift bleak heeded not the sight. - -So when the bread was done away -We looked along the new-shorn hay, - -And heard the voice of the gathering-horn -Come over the garden and the corn; - -For the wind was in the blossoming wheat -And drave the bees in the lime-boughs sweet. - -Then loud was the horn's voice drawing near, -And it hid the talk of the prattling weir. - -And now was the horn on the pathway wide -That we had shorn to the river-side. - -So up we stood, and wide around -We sheared a space by the Elders' Mound; - -And at the feet thereof it was -That highest grew the June-tide grass; - -And over all the mound it grew -With clover blent, and dark of hue. - -But never aught of the Elders' Hay -To rick or barn was borne away. - -But it was bound and burned to ash -In the barren close by the reedy plash. - -For 'neath that mound the valiant dead -Lay hearkening words of valiance said - -When wise men stood on the Elders' Mound, -And the swords were shining bright around. - - - -And now we saw the banners borne -On the first of the way that we had shorn; -So we laid the scythe upon the sward -And girt us to the battle-sword. - -For after the banners well we knew -Were the Freemen wending two and two. - -There then that highway of the scythe -With many a hue was brave and blythe. - -And first below the Silver Chief -Upon the green was the golden sheaf. - -And on the next that went by it -The White Hart in the Park did sit. - -Then on the red the White Wings flew, -And on the White was the Cloud-fleck blue. - -Last went the Anchor of the Wrights -Beside the Ship of the Faring-Knights. - -Then thronged the folk the June-tide field -With naked sword and painted shield, - -Till they came adown to the river-side, -And there by the mound did they abide. - -Now when the swords stood thick and white -As the mace reeds stand in the streamless bight, - -There rose a man on the mound alone -And over his head was the grey mail done. - -When over the new-shorn place of the field -Was nought but the steel hood and the shield. - -The face on the mound shone ruddy and hale, -But the hoar hair showed from the hoary mail. - -And there rose a hand by the ruddy face -And shook a sword o'er the peopled place. - -And there came a voice from the mound and said: -"O sons, the days of my youth are dead, - -And gone are the faces I have known -In the street and the booths of the goodly town. - -O sons, full many a flock have I seen -Feed down this water-girdled green. - -Full many a herd of long-horned neat -Have I seen 'twixt water-side and wheat. - -Here by this water-side full oft -Have I heaved the flowery hay aloft. - -And oft this water-side anigh -Have I bowed adown the wheat-stalks high. - -And yet meseems I live and learn -And lore of younglings yet must earn. - -For tell me, children, whose are these -Fair meadows of the June's increase? - -Whose are these flocks and whose the neat, -And whose the acres of the wheat?" - - - -Scarce did we hear his latest word, -On the wide shield so rang the sword. - -So rang the sword upon the shield -That the lark was hushed above the field. - -Then sank the shouts and again we heard -The old voice come from the hoary beard: - - - -"Yea, whose are yonder gables then, -And whose the holy hearths of men? -Whose are the prattling children there, -And whose the sunburnt maids and fair? - -Whose thralls are ye, hereby that stand, -Bearing the freeman's sword in hand?" - -As glitters the sun in the rain-washed grass, -So in the tossing swords it was; - -As the thunder rattles along and adown -E'en so was the voice of the weaponed town. - -And there was the steel of the old man's sword. -And there was his hollow voice, and his word: - - - -"Many men, many minds, the old saw saith, -Though hereof ye be sure as death. - -For what spake the herald yestermorn -But this, that ye were thrall-folk born; - -That the lord that owneth all and some -Would send his men to fetch us home - -Betwixt the haysel, and the tide -When they shear the corn in the country-side? - -O children, Who was the lord? ye say, -What prayer to him did our fathers pray? - -Did they hold out hands his gyves to bear? -Did their knees his high hall's pavement wear? - -Is his house built up in heaven aloft? -Doth he make the sun rise oft and oft? - -Doth he hold the rain in his hollow hand? -Hath he cleft this water through the land? - -Or doth he stay the summer-tide, -And make the winter days abide? - -O children, Who is the lord? ye say, -Have we heard his name before to-day? - -O children, if his name I know, -He hight Earl Hugh of the Shivering Low: - -For that herald bore on back and breast -The Black Burg under the Eagle's Nest." - - - -As the voice of the winter wind that tears -At the eaves of the thatch and its emptied ears, - -E'en so was the voice of laughter and scorn -By the water-side in the mead new-shorn; - -And over the garden and the wheat -Went the voice of women shrilly-sweet. - - - -But now by the hoary elder stood -A carle in raiment red as blood. - -Red was his weed and his glaive was white, -And there stood Gregory the Wright. - -So he spake in a voice was loud and strong: -"Young is the day though the road is long; - -There is time if we tarry nought at all -For the kiss in the porch and the meat in the hall. - -And safe shall our maidens sit at home -For the foe by the way we wend must come. - -Through the three Lavers shall we go -And raise them all against the foe. - -Then shall we wend the Downland ways, -And all the shepherd spearmen raise. - -To Cheaping Raynes shall we come adown -And gather the bowmen of the town; - -And Greenstead next we come unto -Wherein are all folk good and true. - -When we come our ways to the Outer Wood -We shall be an host both great and good; - -Yea when we come to the open field -There shall be a many under shield. - -And maybe Earl Hugh shall lie alow -And yet to the house of Heaven shall go. - -But we shall dwell in the land we love -And grudge no hallow Heaven above. - -Come ye, who think the time o'er long -Till we have slain the word of wrong! - -Come ye who deem the life of fear -On this last day hath drawn o'er near! - -Come after me upon the road -That leadeth to the Erne's abode." - - - -Down then he leapt from off the mound -And back drew they that were around - -Till he was foremost of all those -Betwixt the river and the close. - -And uprose shouts both glad and strong -As followed after all the throng; - -And overhead the banners flapped, -As we went on our ways to all that happed. - - - -The fields before the Shivering Low -Of many a grief of manfolk know; - -There may the autumn acres tell -Of how men met, and what befell. - -The Black Burg under the Eagle's nest -Shall tell the tale as it liketh best. - -And sooth it is that the River-land -Lacks many an autumn-gathering hand. - -And there are troth-plight maids unwed -Shall deem awhile that love is dead; - -And babes there are to men shall grow -Nor ever the face of their fathers know. - -And yet in the Land by the River-side -Doth never a thrall or an earl's man bide; - -For Hugh the Earl of might and mirth -Hath left the merry days of Earth; - -And we live on in the land we love, -And grudge no hallow Heaven above. - - - - - -THE VOICE OF TOIL - - -I heard men saying, Leave hope and praying, -All days shall be as all have been; -To-day and to-morrow bring fear and sorrow, -The never-ending toil between. - -When Earth was younger mid toil and hunger, -In hope we strove, and our hands were strong; -Then great men led us, with words they fed us, -And bade us right the earthly wrong. - -Go read in story their deeds and glory, -Their names amidst the nameless dead; -Turn then from lying to us slow-dying -In that good world to which they led; - -Where fast and faster our iron master, -The thing we made, for ever drives, -Bids us grind treasure and fashion pleasure -For other hopes and other lives. - -Where home is a hovel and dull we grovel, -Forgetting that the world is fair; -Where no babe we cherish, lest its very soul perish; -Where mirth is crime, and love a snare. - -Who now shall lead us, what god shall heed us -As we lie in the hell our hands have won? -For us are no rulers but fools and befoolers, -The great are fallen, the wise men gone. - - - -I heard men saying, Leave tears and praying, -The sharp knife heedeth not the sheep; -Are we not stronger than the rich and the wronger, -When day breaks over dreams and sleep? - -Come, shoulder to shoulder ere the world grows older! -Help lies in nought but thee and me; -Hope is before us, the long years that bore us -Bore leaders more than men may be. - -Let dead hearts tarry and trade and marry, -And trembling nurse their dreams of mirth, -While we the living our lives are giving -To bring the bright new world to birth. - -Come, shoulder to shoulder ere earth grows older! -The Cause spreads over land and sea; -Now the world shaketh, and fear awaketh, -And joy at last for thee and me. - - - - - -GUNNAR'S HOWE ABOVE THE HOUSE AT LITHEND - - -Ye who have come o'er the sea -to behold this grey minster of lands, -Whose floor is the tomb of time past, -and whose walls by the toil of dead hands -Show pictures amidst of the ruin -of deeds that have overpast death, -Stay by this tomb in a tomb -to ask of who lieth beneath. -Ah! the world changeth too soon, -that ye stand there with unbated breath, -As I name him that Gunnar of old, -who erst in the haymaking tide -Felt all the land fragrant and fresh, -as amidst of the edges he died. -Too swiftly fame fadeth away, -if ye tremble not lest once again -The grey mound should open and show him -glad-eyed without grudging or pain. -Little labour methinks to behold him -but the tale-teller laboured in vain. -Little labour for ears that may hearken -to hear his death-conquering song, -Till the heart swells to think of the gladness -undying that overcame wrong. -O young is the world yet meseemeth -and the hope of it flourishing green, -When the words of a man unremembered -so bridge all the days that have been, -As we look round about on the land -that these nine hundred years he hath seen. - -Dusk is abroad on the grass -of this valley amidst of the hill: -Dusk that shall never be dark -till the dawn hard on midnight shall fill -The trench under Eyiafell's snow, -and the grey plain the sea meeteth grey. -White, high aloft hangs the moon -that no dark night shall brighten ere day, -For here day and night toileth the summer -lest deedless his time pass away. - - - - - -THE DAY IS COMING - - -Come hither, lads, and hearken, -for a tale there is to tell, -Of the wonderful days a-coming, when all -shall be better than well. - -And the tale shall be told of a country, -a land in the midst of the sea, -And folk shall call it England -in the days that are going to be. - -There more than one in a thousand -in the days that are yet to come, -Shall have some hope of the morrow, -some joy of the ancient home. - - - -For then, laugh not, but listen -to this strange tale of mine, -All folk that are in England -shall be better lodged than swine. - -Then a man shall work and bethink him, -and rejoice in the deeds of his hand, -Nor yet come home in the even -too faint and weary to stand. - -Men in that time a-coming -shall work and have no fear -For to-morrow's lack of earning -and the hunger-wolf anear. - -I tell you this for a wonder, -that no man then shall be glad -Of his fellow's fall and mishap -to snatch at the work he had. - -For that which the worker winneth -shall then be his indeed, -Nor shall half be reaped for nothing -by him that sowed no seed. - -O strange new wonderful justice! -But for whom shall we gather the gain? -For ourselves and for each of our fellows, -and no hand shall labour in vain. - -Then all Mine and all Thine shall be Ours, -and no more shall any man crave -For riches that serve for nothing -but to fetter a friend for a slave. - -And what wealth then shall be left us -when none shall gather gold -To buy his friend in the market, -and pinch and pine the sold? - -Nay, what save the lovely city, -and the little house on the hill, -And the wastes and the woodland beauty, -and the happy fields we till; - -And the homes of ancient stories, -the tombs of the mighty dead; -And the wise men seeking out marvels, -and the poet's teeming head; - -And the painter's hand of wonder; -and the marvellous fiddle-bow, -And the banded choirs of music: -all those that do and know. - -For all these shall be ours and all men's, -nor shall any lack a share -Of the toil and the gain of living -in the days when the world grows fair. - - - -Ah! such are the days that shall be! -But what are the deeds of to-day -In the days of the years we dwell in, -that wear our lives away? - -Why, then, and for what are we waiting? -There are three words to speak; -WE WILL IT, and what is the foeman -but the dream-strong wakened and weak? - -O why and for what are we waiting? -while our brothers droop and die, -And on every wind of the heavens -a wasted life goes by. - -How long shall they reproach us -where crowd on crowd they dwell, -Poor ghosts of the wicked city, -the gold-crushed hungry hell? - -Through squalid life they laboured, -in sordid grief they died, -Those sons of a mighty mother, -those props of England's pride. - -They are gone; there is none can undo it, -nor save our souls from the curse; -But many a million cometh, -and shall they be better or worse? - -It is we must answer and hasten, -and open wide the door -For the rich man's hurrying terror, -and the slow-foot hope of the poor. - -Yea, the voiceless wrath of the wretched, -and their unlearned discontent, -We must give it voice and wisdom -till the waiting-tide be spent. - - - -Come, then, since all things call us, -the living and the dead, -And o'er the weltering tangle -a glimmering light is shed. - -Come, then, let us cast off fooling, -and put by ease and rest, -For the Cause alone is worthy -till the good days bring the best. - -Come, join in the only battle -wherein no man can fail, -Where whoso fadeth and dieth, -yet his deed shall still prevail. - -Ah! come, cast off all fooling, -for this, at least, we know: -That the Dawn and the Day is coming, -and forth the Banners go. - - - - - -EARTH THE HEALER, EARTH THE KEEPER - - -So swift the hours are moving -Unto the time un-proved: -Farewell my love unloving, -Farewell my love beloved! - -What! are we not glad-hearted? -Is there no deed to do? -Is not all fear departed -And Spring-tide blossomed new? - -The sails swell out above us, -The sea-ridge lifts the keel; -For They have called who love us, -Who bear the gifts that heal: - -A crown for him that winneth, -A bed for him that fails, -A glory that beginneth -In never-dying tales. - -Yet now the pain is ended -And the glad hand grips the sword, -Look on thy life amended -And deal out due award. - -Think of the thankless morning, -The gifts of noon unused; -Think of the eve of scorning, -The night of prayer refused. - -And yet. The life before it, -Dost thou remember aught, -What terrors shivered o'er it -Born from the hell of thought? - -And this that cometh after: -How dost thou live, and dare -To meet its empty laughter, -To face its friendless care? - -In fear didst thou desire, -At peace dost thou regret, -The wasting of the fire, -The tangling of the net. - -Love came and gat fair greeting; -Love went; and left no shame. -Shall both the twilights meeting -The summer sunlight blame? - -What! cometh love and goeth -Like the dark night's empty wind, -Because thy folly soweth -The harvest of the blind? - -Hast thou slain love with sorrow? -Have thy tears quenched the sun? -Nay even yet to-morrow -Shall many a deed be done. - -This twilight sea thou sailest, -Has it grown dim and black -For that wherein thou failest, -And the story of thy lack? - -Peace then! for thine old grieving -Was born of Earth the kind, -And the sad tale thou art leaving -Earth shall not leave behind. - -Peace! for that joy abiding -Whereon thou layest hold -Earth keepeth for a tiding -For the day when this is old. - -Thy soul and life shall perish, -And thy name as last night's wind; -But Earth the deed shall cherish -That thou to-day shalt find. - -And all thy joy and sorrow -So great but yesterday, -So light a thing to-morrow, -Shall never pass away. - -Lo! lo! the dawn-blink yonder, -The sunrise draweth nigh, -And men forget to wonder -That they were born to die. - -Then praise the deed that wendeth -Through the daylight and the mirth! -The tale that never endeth -Whoso may dwell on earth. - - - - - -ALL FOR THE CAUSE - - -Hear a word, a word in season, -for the day is drawing nigh, -When the Cause shall call upon us, -some to live, and some to die! - -He that dies shall not die lonely, -many an one hath gone before; -He that lives shall bear no burden -heavier than the life they bore. - -Nothing ancient is their story, -e'en but yesterday they bled, -Youngest they of earth's beloved, -last of all the valiant dead. - -E'en the tidings we are telling -was the tale they had to tell, -E'en the hope that our hearts cherish, -was the hope for which they fell. - -In the grave where tyrants thrust them, -lies their labour and their pain, -But undying from their sorrow -springeth up the hope again. - -Mourn not therefore, nor lament it, -that the world outlives their life; -Voice and vision yet they give us, -making strong our hands for strife. - -Some had name, and fame, and honour, -learn'd they were, and wise and strong; -Some were nameless, poor, unlettered, -weak in all but grief and wrong. - -Named and nameless all live in us; -one and all they lead us yet -Every pain to count for nothing, -every sorrow to forget. - -Hearken how they cry, "O happy, -happy ye that ye were born -In the sad slow night's departing, -in the rising of the morn. - -"Fair the crown the Cause hath for you, -well to die or well to live -Through the battle, through the tangle, -peace to gain or peace to give." - -Ah, it may be! Oft meseemeth, -in the days that yet shall be, -When no slave of gold abideth -'twixt the breadth of sea to sea, - -Oft, when men and maids are merry, -ere the sunlight leaves the earth, -And they bless the day beloved, -all too short for all their mirth, - -Some shall pause awhile and ponder -on the bitter days of old, -Ere the toil of strife and battle -overthrew the curse of gold; - -Then 'twixt lips of loved and lover -solemn thoughts of us shall rise; -We who once were fools defeated, -then shall be the brave and wise. - -There amidst the world new-builded -shall our earthly deeds abide, -Though our names be all forgotten, -and the tale of how we died. - -Life or death then, who shall heed it, -what we gain or what we lose? -Fair flies life amid the struggle, -and the Cause for each shall choose. - -Hear a word, a word in season, -for the day is drawing nigh, -When the Cause shall call upon us, -some to live, and some to die! - - - - - -PAIN AND TIME STRIVE NOT - - -What part of the dread eternity -Are those strange minutes that I gain, -Mazed with the doubt of love and pain, -When I thy delicate face may see, -A little while before farewell? - -What share of the world's yearning-tide -That flash, when new day bare and white -Blots out my half-dream's faint delight, -And there is nothing by my side, -And well remembered is farewell? - -What drop in the grey flood of tears -That time, when the long day toiled through, -Worn out, shows nought for me to do, -And nothing worth my labour bears -The longing of that last farewell? - -What pity from the heavens above, -What heed from out eternity, -What word from the swift world for me? -Speak, heed, and pity, O tender love, -Who knew'st the days before farewell! - - - - - -DRAWING NEAR THE LIGHT - - -Lo, when we wade the tangled wood, -In haste and hurry to be there, -Nought seem its leaves and blossoms good, -For all that they be fashioned fair. - -But looking up, at last we see -The glimmer of the open light, -From o'er the place where we would be: -Then grow the very brambles bright. - -So now, amidst our day of strife, -With many a matter glad we play, -When once we see the light of life -Gleam through the tangle of to-day. - - - - - -VERSES FOR PICTURES - - - -DAY - -I am Day; I bring again -Life and glory, Love and pain: -Awake, arise! from death to death -Through me the World's tale quickeneth. - - -SPRING - -Spring am I, too soft of heart -Much to speak ere I depart: -Ask the Summer-tide to prove -The abundance of my love. - - -SUMMER - -Summer looked for long am I; -Much shall change or e'er I die. -Prithee take it not amiss -Though I weary thee with bliss. - - -AUTUMN - -Laden Autumn here I stand -Worn of heart, and weak of hand: -Nought but rest seems good to me, -Speak the word that sets me free. - - -WINTER - -I am Winter, that do keep -Longing safe amidst of sleep: -Who shall say if I were dead -What should be remembered? - - -NIGHT - -I am Night: I bring again -Hope of pleasure, rest from pain: -Thoughts unsaid 'twixt Life and Death -My fruitful silence quickeneth. - - - - - -FOR THE BRIAR ROSE - - - -THE BRIARWOOD - -The fateful slumber floats and flows -About the tangle of the rose; -But lo! the fated hand and heart -To rend the slumberous curse apart! - - -THE COUNCIL ROOM - -The threat of war, the hope of peace, -The Kingdom's peril and increase -Sleep on, and bide the latter day, -When Fate shall take her chain away. - - -THE GARDEN COURT - -The maiden pleasance of the land -Knoweth no stir of voice or hand, -No cup the sleeping waters fill, -The restless shuttle lieth still. - - -THE ROSEBOWER - -Here lies the hoarded love, the key -To all the treasure that shall be; -Come fated hand the gift to take, -And smite this sleeping world awake. - - - - - -ANOTHER FOR THE BRIAR ROSE - - - -O treacherous scent, O thorny sight, -O tangle of world's wrong and right, -What art thou 'gainst my armour's gleam -But dusky cobwebs of a dream? - -Beat down, deep sunk from every gleam -Of hope, they lie and dully dream; -Men once, but men no more, that Love -Their waste defeated hearts should move. - -Here sleeps the world that would not love! -Let it sleep on, but if He move -Their hearts in humble wise to wait -On his new-wakened fair estate. - -O won at last is never late! -Thy silence was the voice of fate; -Thy still hands conquered in the strife; -Thine eyes were light; thy lips were life. - - - - - -THE WOODPECKER - - - -I once a King and chief -Now am the tree-bark's thief, -Ever 'twixt trunk and leaf -Chasing the prey. - - - - - -THE LION - - - -The Beasts that be -In wood and waste, -Now sit and see, -Nor ride nor haste. - - - - - -THE FOREST - - - -PEAR-TREE - -By woodman's edge I faint and fail; -By craftsman's edge I tell the tale. - - -CHESTNUT-TREE - -High in the wood, high o'er the hall, -Aloft I rise when low I fall. - - -OAK-TREE - -Unmoved I stand what wind may blow. -Swift, swift before the wind I go. - - - - - -POMONA - - - -I am the ancient Apple-Queen, -As once I was so am I now. -For evermore a hope unseen, -Betwixt the blossom and the bough. - -Ah, where's the river's hidden Gold! -And where the windy grave of Troy? -Yet come I as I came of old, -From out the heart of Summer's joy. - - - - - -FLORA - - - -I am the handmaid of the earth, -I broider fair her glorious gown, -And deck her on her days of mirth -With many a garland of renown. - -And while Earth's little ones are fain -And play about the Mother's hem, -I scatter every gift I gain -From sun and wind to gladden them. - - - - - -THE ORCHARD - - - -Midst bitten mead and acre shorn, -The world without is waste and worn, - -But here within our orchard-close, -The guerdon of its labour shows. - -O valiant Earth, O happy year -That mocks the threat of winter near, - -And hangs aloft from tree to tree -The banners of the Spring to be. - - - - - -TAPESTRY TREES - - - -OAK - -I am the Roof-tree and the Keel; -I bridge the seas for woe and weal. - - -FIR - -High o'er the lordly oak I stand, -And drive him on from land to land. - - -ASH - -I heft my brother's iron bane; -I shaft the spear, and build the wain. - - -YEW - -Dark down the windy dale I grow, -The father of the fateful Bow. - - -POPLAR - -The war-shaft and the milking-bowl -I make, and keep the hay-wain whole. - - -OLIVE - -The King I bless; the lamps I trim; -In my warm wave do fishes swim. - - -APPLE-TREE - -I bowed my head to Adam's will; -The cups of toiling men I fill. - - -VINE - -I draw the blood from out the earth; -I store the sun for winter mirth. - - -ORANGE-TREE - -Amidst the greenness of my night, -My odorous lamps hang round and bright. - - -FIG-TREE - -I who am little among trees -In honey-making mate the bees. - - -MULBERRY-TREE - -Love's lack hath dyed my berries red: -For Love's attire my leaves are shed. - - -PEAR-TREE - -High o'er the mead-flowers' hidden feet -I bear aloft my burden sweet. - - -BAY - -Look on my leafy boughs, the Crown -Of living song and dead renown! - - - - - -THE FLOWERING ORCHARD - - - -SILK EMBROIDERY - -Lo silken my garden, -and silken my sky, -And silken my apple-boughs -hanging on high; -All wrought by the Worm -in the peasant carle's cot -On the Mulberry leafage -when summer was hot! - - - - - -THE END OF MAY - - - -How the wind howls this morn -About the end of May, -And drives June on apace -To mock the world forlorn -And the world's joy passed away -And my unlonged-for face! -The world's joy passed away; -For no more may I deem -That any folk are glad -To see the dawn of day -Sunder the tangled dream -Wherein no grief they had. -Ah, through the tangled dream -Where others have no grief -Ever it fares with me -That fears and treasons stream -And dumb sleep slays belief -Whatso therein may be. -Sleep slayeth all belief -Until the hopeless light -Wakes at the birth of June -More lying tales to weave, -More love in woe's despite, -More hope to perish soon. - - - - - -THE HALF OF LIFE GONE - - - -The days have slain the days, -and the seasons have gone by -And brought me the summer again; -and here on the grass I lie -As erst I lay and was glad -ere I meddled with right and with wrong. -Wide lies the mead as of old, -and the river is creeping along -By the side of the elm-clad bank -that turns its weedy stream; -And grey o'er its hither lip -the quivering rashes gleam. -There is work in the mead as of old; -they are eager at winning the hay, -While every sun sets bright -and begets a fairer day. -The forks shine white in the sun -round the yellow red-wheeled wain, -Where the mountain of hay grows fast; -and now from out of the lane -Comes the ox-team drawing another, -comes the bailiff and the beer, -And thump, thump, goes the farmer's nag -o'er the narrow bridge of the weir. -High up and light are the clouds, -and though the swallows flit -So high o'er the sunlit earth, -they are well a part of it, -And so, though high over them, -are the wings of the wandering herne; -In measureless depths above him -doth the fair sky quiver and burn; -The dear sun floods the land -as the morning falls toward noon, -And a little wind is awake -in the best of the latter June. -They are busy winning the hay, -and the life and the picture they make -If I were as once I was, -I should deem it made for my sake; -For here if one need not work -is a place for happy rest, -While one's thought wends over the world -north, south, and east and west. - -There are the men and the maids, -and the wives and the gaffers grey -Of the fields I know so well, -and but little changed are they -Since I was a lad amongst them; -and yet how great is the change! -Strange are they grown unto me; -yea I to myself am strange. -Their talk and their laughter mingling -with the music of the meads -Has now no meaning to me -to help or to hinder my needs, -So far from them have I drifted. -And yet amidst of them goes -A part of myself, my boy, -and of pleasure and pain he knows, -And deems it something strange, -when he is other than glad. -Lo now! the woman that stoops -and kisses the face of the lad, -And puts a rake in his hand -and laughs in his laughing face. -Whose is the voice that laughs -in the old familiar place? -Whose should it be but my love's, -if my love were yet on the earth? -Could she refrain from the fields -where my joy and her joy had birth, -When I was there and her child, -on the grass that knew her feet -'Mid the flowers that led her on -when the summer eve was sweet? - -No, no, it is she no longer; -never again can she come -And behold the hay-wains creeping -o'er the meadows of her home; -No more can she kiss her son -or put the rake in his hand -That she handled a while agone -in the midst of the haymaking band. -Her laughter is gone and her life; -there is no such thing on the earth, -No share for me then in the stir, -no share in the hurry and mirth. -Nay, let me look and believe -that all these will vanish away, -At least when the night has fallen, -and that she will be there 'mid the hay, -Happy and weary with work, -waiting and longing for love. -There will she be, as of old, -when the great moon hung above, -And lightless and dead was the village, -and nought but the weir was awake; -There will she rise to meet me, -and my hands will she hasten to take, -And thence shall we wander away, -and over the ancient bridge -By many a rose-hung hedgerow, -till we reach the sun-burnt ridge -And the great trench digged by the Romans: -there then awhile shall we stand, -To watch the dawn come creeping -o'er the fragrant lovely land, -Till all the world awaketh, -and draws us down, we twain, -To the deeds of the field and the fold -and the merry summer's gain. - -Ah thus, only thus shall I see her, -in dreams of the day or the night, -When my soul is beguiled of its sorrow -to remember past delight. -She is gone. She was and she is not; -there is no such thing on the earth -But e'en as a picture painted; -and for me there is void and dearth -That I cannot name or measure. -Yet for me and all these she died, -E'en as she lived for awhile, -that the better day might betide. -Therefore I live, and I shall live -till the last day's work shall fail. -Have patience now but a little -and I will tell you the tale -Of how and why she died, -And why I am weak and worn, -And have wandered away to the meadows -and the place where I was born; -But here and to-day I cannot; -for ever my thought will stray -To that hope fulfilled for a little -and the bliss of the earlier day. -Of the great world's hope and anguish -to-day I scarce can think; -Like a ghost, from the lives of the living -and their earthly deeds I shrink. -I will go adown by the water -and over the ancient bridge, -And wend in our footsteps of old -till I come to the sun-burnt ridge, -And the great trench digged by the Romans; -and thence awhile will I gaze, -And see three teeming counties -stretch out till they fade in the haze; -And in all the dwellings of man -that thence mine eyes shall see, -What man as hapless as I am -beneath the sun shall be? - -O fool, what words are these? -Thou hast a sorrow to nurse, -And thou hast been bold and happy; -but these, if they utter a curse, -No sting it has and no meaning, -it is empty sound on the air. -Thy life is full of mourning, -and theirs so empty and bare, -That they have no words of complaining; -nor so happy have they been -That they may measure sorrow -or tell what grief may mean. - -And thou; thou hast deeds to do, -and toil to meet thee soon; -Depart and ponder on these -through the sun-worn afternoon. - - - - - -MINE AND THINE - -FROM A FLEMISH POEM OF THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY - - -Two words about the world we see, -And nought but Mine and Thine they be. -Ah! might we drive them forth and wide -With us should rest and peace abide; -All free, nought owned of goods and gear, -By men and women though it were. -Common to all all wheat and wine -Over the seas and up the Rhine. -No manslayer then the wide world o'er -When Mine and Thine are known no more. -Yea, God, well counselled for our health, -Gave all this fleeting earthly wealth -A common heritage to all, -That men might feed them therewithal, -And clothe their limbs and shoe their feet -And live a simple life and sweet. -But now so rageth greediness -That each desireth nothing less -Than all the world, and all his own; -And all for him and him alone. - - - - - -THE LAY OF CHRISTINE - -TRANSLATED FROM THE ICELANDIC - - -Of silk my gear was shapen, -Scarlet they did on me, -Then to the sea-strand was I borne -And laid in a bark of the sea. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -Befell it there I might not drown, -For God to me was good; -The billows bare me up a-land -Where grew the fair green-wood. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -There came a Knight a-riding -With three swains along the way, -And he took me up, the little-one, -On the sea-sand as I lay. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -He took me up, and bare me home -To the house that was his own, -And there bode I so long with him -That I was his love alone. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -But the very first night we lay abed -Befell his sorrow and harm, -That thither came the King's ill men, -And slew him on mine arm. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -There slew they Adalbright the King, -Two of his swains slew they, -But the third sailed swiftly from the land -Sithence I saw him never a day. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -O wavering hope of this world's bliss, -How shall men trow in thee? -My Grove of Gems is gone away -For mine eyes no more to see! -_O well were I from the World away._ - -Each hour the while my life shall last -Remembereth him alone, -Such heavy sorrow have I got -From our meeting long agone. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -O, early in the morning-tide -Men cry: "Christine the fair, -Art thou well content with that true love -Thou sittest loving there?" -_O well were I from the World away._ - -"Ah, yea, so well I love him, -And so dear my love shall be, -That the very God of Heaven aloft -Worshippeth him and me. -_O well were I from the World away._ - -"Ah, all the red gold I have got -Well would I give to-day, -Only for this and nothing else -From the world to win away." -_O well were I from the World away._ - -"Nay, midst all folk upon the earth -Keep thou thy ruddy gold, -And love withal the mighty lord -That wedded thee of old." -_O well were I from the World away._ - - - - - -HILDEBRAND AND HELLELIL - -TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH - - -Hellelil sitteth in bower there, -_None knows my grief but God alone,_ -And seweth at the seam so fair, -_I never wail my sorrow to any other one._ - -But there whereas the gold should be -With silk upon the cloth sewed she. - -Where she should sew with silken thread -The gold upon the cloth she laid. - -So to the Queen the word came in -That Hellelil wild work doth win. - -Then did the Queen do furs on her -And went to Hellelil the fair. - -"O swiftly sewest thou, Hellelil, -Yet nought but mad is thy sewing still!" - -"Well may my sewing be but mad -Such evil hap as I have had. - -My father was good king and lord, -Knights fifteen served before his board. - -He taught me sewing royally, -Twelve knights had watch and ward of me. - -Well served eleven day by day, -To folly the twelfth did me bewray. - -And this same was hight Hildebrand, -The King's son of the English Land. - -But in bower were we no sooner laid -Than the truth thereof to my father was said. - -Then loud he cried o'er garth and hall: -'Stand up, my men, and arm ye all! - -'Yea draw on mail and dally not, -Hard neck lord Hildebrand hath got!' - -They stood by the door with glaive and spear; -'Hildebrand rise and hasten here!' - -Lord Hildebrand stroked my white white cheek: -'O love, forbear my name to speak. - -'Yea even if my blood thou see, -Name me not, lest my death thou be.' - -Out from the door lord Hildebrand leapt, -And round about his good sword swept. - -The first of all that he slew there -Were my seven brethren with golden hair. - -Then before him stood the youngest one, -And dear he was in the days agone. - -Then I cried out: 'O Hildebrand, -In the name of God now stay thine hand. - -'O let my youngest brother live -Tidings hereof to my mother to give!' - -No sooner was the word gone forth -Than with eight wounds fell my love to earth. - -My brother took me by the golden hair, -And bound me to the saddle there. - -There met me then no littlest root, -But it tore off somewhat of my foot. - -No littlest brake the wild-wood bore, -But somewhat from my legs it tore. - -No deepest dam we came unto -But my brother's horse he swam it through - -But when to the castle gate we came, -There stood my mother in sorrow and shame. - -My brother let raise a tower high, -Bestrewn with sharp thorns inwardly. - -He took me in my silk shirt bare -And cast me into that tower there. - -And wheresoe'er my legs I laid -Torment of the thorns I had. - -Wheresoe'er on feet I stood -The prickles sharp drew forth my blood. - -My youngest brother me would slay, -But my mother would have me sold away. - -A great new bell my price did buy -In Mary's Church to hang on high. - -But the first stroke that ever it strake -My mother's heart asunder brake." - -So soon as her sorrow and woe was said, -_None knows my grief but God alone,_ -In the arm of the Queen she sat there dead, -_I never tell my sorrow to any other one._ - - - - - -THE SON'S SORROW - -FROM THE ICELANDIC - - -The King has asked of his son so good, -"Why art thou hushed and heavy of mood? -_O fair it is to ride abroad._ -Thou playest not, and thou laughest not; -All thy good game is clean forgot." - -"Sit thou beside me, father dear, -And the tale of my sorrow shalt thou hear. - -Thou sendedst me unto a far-off land, -And gavest me into a good Earl's hand. - -Now had this good Earl daughters seven, -The fairest of maidens under heaven. - -One brought me my meat when I should dine, -One cut and sewed my raiment fine. - -One washed and combed my yellow hair, -And one I fell to loving there. - -Befell it on so fair a day, -We minded us to sport and play. - -Down in a dale my horse bound I, -Bound on my saddle speedily. - -Bright red she was as the flickering flame -When to my saddle-bow she came. - -Beside my saddle-bow she stood, -'To flee with thee to my heart were good.' - -Kind was my horse and good to aid, -My love upon his back I laid. - -We gat us from the garth away, -And none was ware of us that day. - -But as we rode along the sand -Behold a barge lay by the land. - -So in that boat did we depart, -And rowed away right glad at heart. - -When we came to the dark wood and the shade -To raise the tent my true-love bade. - -Three sons my true-love bore me there, -And syne she died who was so dear. - -A grave I wrought her with my sword, -With my fair shield the mould I poured. - -First in the mould I laid my love, -Then all my sons her breast above. - -And I without must lie alone; -So from the place I gat me gone." - -No man now shall stand on his feet -To love that love, to woo that sweet: -_O fair it is to ride abroad._ - - - - - -AGNES AND THE HILL-MAN - -TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH - - -Agnes went through the meadows a-weeping, -_Fowl are a-singing._ -There stood the hill-man heed thereof keeping. -_Agnes, fair Agnes!_ -"Come to the hill, fair Agnes, with me, -The reddest of gold will I give unto thee!" - -Twice went Agnes the hill round about, -Then wended within, left the fair world without. - -In the hillside bode Agnes, three years thrice told o'er, -For the green earth sithence fell she longing full sore. - -There she sat, and lullaby sang in her singing, -And she heard how the bells of England were ringing. - -Agnes before her true-love did stand: -"May I wend to the church of the English Land?" - -"To England's Church well mayst thou be gone, -So that no hand thou lay the red gold upon. - -"So that when thou art come the churchyard anear, -Thou cast not abroad thy golden hair. - -"So that when thou standest the church within, -To thy mother on bench thou never win. - -"So that when thou hearest the high God's name, -No knee unto earth thou bow to the same." - -Hand she laid on all gold that was there, -And cast abroad her golden hair. - -And when the church she stood within, -To her mother on bench straight did she win. - -And when she heard the high God's name, -Knee unto earth she bowed to the same. - -When all the mass was sung to its end, -Home with her mother dear did she wend. - -"Come, Agnes, into the hillside to me, -For thy seven small sons greet sorely for thee!" - -"Let them greet, let them greet, as they have will to do; -For never again will I hearken thereto!" - -Weird laid he on her, sore sickness he wrought, -_Fowl are a-singing._ -That self-same hour to death was she brought. -_Agnes, fair Agnes!_ - - - - - -KNIGHT AAGEN AND MAIDEN ELSE - -TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH - - -It was the fair knight Aagen -To an isle he went his way, -And plighted troth to Else, -Who was so fair a may. - -He plighted troth to Else -All with the ruddy gold, -But or ere that day's moon came again -Low he lay in the black, black mould. - -It was the maiden Else, -She was fulfilled of woe -When she heard how the fair knight Aagen -In the black mould lay alow. - -Uprose the fair knight Aagen, -Coffin on back took he, -And he's away to her bower, -Sore hard as the work might be. - -With that same chest on door he smote, -For the lack of flesh and skin; -"O hearken, maiden Else, -And let thy true-love in!" - -Then answered maiden Else, -"Never open I my door, -But and if thou namest Jesu's name -As thou hadst might before." - -"O hearken, maiden Else, -And open thou thy door, -For Jesu's name I well may name -As I had might before!" - -Then uprose maiden Else, -O'er her cheek the salt tears ran, -Nor spared she into her very bower -To welcome that dead man. - -O, she's taken up her comb of gold -And combed adown her hair, -And for every hair she combed adown -There fell a weary tear. - -"Hearken thou, knight Aagen, -Hearken, true-love, and tell, -If down-adown in the black, black earth -Thou farest ever well?" - -"O whenso thou art joyous, -And the heart is glad in thee, -Then fares it with my coffin -That red roses are with me. - -"But whenso thou art sorrowful -And weary is thy mood, -Then all within my coffin -Is it dreadful with dark blood. - -"Now is the red cock a-crowing, -To the earth adown must I; -Down to the earth wend all dead folk, -And I wend in company. - -"Now is the black cock a-crowing, -To the earth must I adown, -For the gates of Heaven are opening now, -Thereto must I begone." - -Uprose the fair knight Aagen, -Coffin on back took he, -And he's away to the churchyard now, -Sore hard as the work might be. - -But so wrought maiden Else, -Because of her weary mood, -That she followed after own true love -All through the mirk wild wood. - -But when the wood was well passed through, -And in the churchyard they were, -Then was the fair knight Aagen -Waxen wan of his golden hair. - -And when therefrom they wended -And were the church within, -Then was the fair knight Aagen -Waxen wan of cheek and chin. - -"Hearken thou, maiden Else, -Hearken, true-love, to me, -Weep no more for thine own troth-plight, -However it shall be! - -"Look thou up to the heavens aloft, -To the little stars and bright, -And thou shalt see how sweetly -It fareth with the night!" - -She looked up to the heavens aloft, -To the little stars bright above. -The dead man sank into his grave, -Ne'er again she saw her love. - -Home then went maiden Else, -Mid sorrow manifold, -And ere that night's moon came again -She lay alow in the mould. - - - - - -HAFBUR AND SIGNY - -TRANSLATED FROM THE DANISH. - - -King Hafbur and King Siward -They needs must stir up strife, -All about the sweetling Signy -Who was so fair a wife. -_O wilt thou win me then, -or as fair a maid as I be?_ - -It was the King's son Hafbur -Woke up amid the night, -And 'gan to tell of a wondrous dream -In swift words nowise light. - -"Me-dreamed I was in heaven -Amid that fair abode, -And my true-love lay upon mine arm -And we fell from cloud to cloud." - -As there they sat, the dames and maids -Of his words they took no keep, -Only his mother well-beloved -Heeded his dreamful sleep. - -"Go get thee gone to the mountain, -And make no long delay; -To the elve's eldest daughter -For thy dream's areding pray." - -So the King's son, even Hafbur, -Took his sword in his left hand, -And he's away to the mountain -To get speech of that Lily-wand. - -He beat thereon with hand all bare, -With fingers small and fine, -And there she lay, the elve's daughter, -And well wotted of that sign. - -"Bide hail, Elve's sweetest daughter, -As on skins thou liest fair, -I pray thee by the God of Heaven -My dream arede thou clear. - -"Me-dreamed I was in heaven, -Yea amid that fair abode, -And my true-love lay upon mine arm -And we fell from cloud to cloud." - -"Whereas thou dreamed'st thou wert in heaven, -So shalt thou win that may; -Dreamed'st thou of falling through the clouds, -So falls for her thy life away." - -"And if it lieth in my luck -To win to me that may, -In no sorrow's stead it standeth me -For her to cast my life away." - -Lord Hafbur lets his hair wax long, -And will have the gear of mays, -And he rideth to King Siward's house -And will well learn weaving ways. - -Lord Hafbur all his clothes let shape -In such wise as maidens do, -And thus he rideth over the land -King Siward's daughter to woo. - -Now out amid the castle-garth -He cast his cloak aside, -And goeth forth to the high-bower -Where the dames and damsels abide. - - - -Hail, sit ye there, dames and damsels, -Maids and queens kind and fair, -And chiefest of all to the Dane-King's daughter -If she abideth here! - -"Hail, sittest thou, sweet King's daughter, -A-spinning the silken twine, -It is King Hafbur sends me hither -To learn the sewing fine." - -Hath Hafbur sent thee here to me? -Then art thou a welcome guest, -And all the sewing that I can -Shall I learn thee at my best. - -"And all the sewing that I can -I shall learn thee lovingly, -Out of one bowl shalt thou eat with me, -And by my nurse shalt thou lie." - -"King's children have I eaten with, -And lain down by their side: -Must I lie abed now with a very nurse? -Then woe is me this tide!" - -"Nay, let it pass, fair maiden! -Of me gettest thou no harm, -Out of one bowl shalt thou eat with me -And sleep soft upon mine arm." - -There sat they, all the damsels, -And sewed full craftily; -But ever the King's son Hafbur -With nail in mouth sat he. - -They sewed the hart, they sewed the hind, -As they run through the wild-wood green, -Never gat Hafbur so big a bowl -But the bottom soon was seen. - -In there came the evil nurse -In the worst tide that might be: -"Never saw I fair maiden -Who could sew less craftily. - -"Never saw I fair maiden -Seam worse the linen fine, -Never saw I noble maiden -Who better drank the wine." - -This withal spake the evil nurse, -The nighest that she durst: -"Never saw I yet fair maiden -Of drink so sore athirst. - -"So little a seam as ever she sews -Goes the needle into her mouth, -As big a bowl as ever she gets -Out is it drunk forsooth. - -"Ne'er saw I yet in maiden's head -Two eyes so bright and bold, -And those two hands of her withal -Are hard as the iron cold." - -"Hearken, sweet nurse, whereso thou art, -Why wilt thou mock me still? -Never cast I one word at thee, -Went thy sewing well or ill. - -"Still wilt thou mock, still wilt thou spy; -Nought such thou hast of me, -Whether mine eyes look out or look in -Nought do they deal with thee." - -O it was Hafbur the King's son -Began to sew at last; -He sowed the hart, and he sewed the hind, -As they flee from the hound so fast. - -He sewed the lily, and he sewed the rose, -And the little fowls of the air; -Then fell the damsels a-marvelling, -For nought had they missed him there. - -Day long they sewed till the evening, -And till the long night was deep, -Then up stood dames and maidens -And were fain in their beds to sleep. - -So fell on them the evening-tide, -O'er the meads the dew drave down, -And fain was Signy, that sweet thing, -With her folk to bed to be gone. - -Therewith asked the King's son Hafbur, -"And whatten a bed for me?" -"O thou shalt sleep in the bower aloft, -And blue shall thy bolster be." - -She went before, sweet Signy, -O'er the high-bower's bridge aright, -And after her went Hafbur -Laughing from heart grown light. - -Then kindled folk the waxlights, -That were so closely twined, -And after them the ill nurse went -With an ill thought in her mind. - -The lights were quenched, the nurse went forth, -They deemed they were alone: -Lord Hafbur drew off his kirtle red, -Then first his sword outshone. - -Lord Hafbur mid his longing sore -Down on the bed he sat: -I tell you of my soothfastness, -His byrny clashed thereat. - -Then spake the darling Signy, -Out of her heart she said, -"Never saw I so rough a shirt -Upon so fair a maid." - -She laid her hand on Hafbur's breast -With the red gold all a-blaze: -"Why wax thy breasts in no such wise -As they wax in other mays?" - -"The wont it is in my father's land -For maids to ride to the Thing, -Therefore my breasts are little of growth -Beneath the byrny-ring." - - -And there they lay through the night so long, -The King's son and the may, -In talk full sweet, but little of sleep, -So much on their minds there lay. - -"Hearken, sweet maiden Signy, -As here alone we lie, -Who is thy dearest in the world, -And lieth thine heart most nigh?" - -"O there is none in all the world -Who lieth so near to my heart -As doth the bold King Hafbur: -Ne'er in him shall I have a part. - -"As doth the bold King Hafbur -That mine eyes shall never know: -Nought but the sound of his gold-wrought horn -As he rides to the Thing and fro." - -"O, is it Hafbur the King's son -That thy loved heart holdeth dear? -Turn hither, O my well-beloved, -To thy side I lie so near." - -"If thou art the King's son Hafbur, -Why wilt thou shame me, love, -Why ridest thou not to my father's garth -With hound, and with hawk upon glove?" - -"Once was I in thy father's garth, -With hound and hawk and all; -And with many mocks he said me nay, -In such wise did our meeting fall." - - -All the while they talked together -They deemed alone they were, -But the false nurse ever stood close without, -And nought thereof she failed to hear. - -O shame befall that evil nurse, -Ill tidings down she drew, -She stole away his goodly sword, -But and his byrny new. - -She took to her his goodly sword, -His byrny blue she had away, -And she went her ways to the high bower -Whereas King Siward lay. - -"Wake up, wake up, King Siward! -Over long thou sleepest there, -The while the King's son Hafbur -Lies abed by Signy the fair." - -"No Hafbur is here, and no King's son, -That thou shouldst speak this word; -He is far away in the east-countries, -Warring with knight and lord. - -"Hold thou thy peace, thou evil nurse, -And lay on her no lie, -Or else tomorn ere the sun is up -In the bale-fire shall ye die." - -"O hearken to this, my lord and king, -And trow me nought but true; -Look here upon his bright white sword, -But and his byrny blue!" - -Then mad of mind waxed Siward, -Over all the house 'gan he cry, -"Rise up, O mighty men of mine, -For a hardy knight is anigh: - -"Take ye sword and shield in hand, -And look that they be true; -For Hafbur the King hath guested with us; -Stiffnecked he is, great deeds to do." - -So there anigh the high-bower door -They stood with spear and glaive -"Rise up, rise up, Young Hafbur, -Out here we would thee have!" - -That heard the goodly Signy, -And she wrang her hands full sore: -"Hearken and heed, O Hafbur, -Who stand without by the door!" - -Thank and praise to the King's son Hafbur, -Manly he played and stout! -None might lay hand upon him -While the bed-post yet held out. - -But they took him, the King's son Hafbur, -And set him in bolts new wrought; -Then lightly he rent them asunder, -As though they were leaden and nought. - -Out and spake the ancient nurse, -And she gave a rede of ill; -"Bind ye him but in Signy's hair. -So shall hand and foot lie still. - -"Take ye but one of Signy's hairs -Hafbur's hands to bind, -Ne'er shall he rend them asunder, -His heart to her is so kind." - -Then took they two of Signy's hairs -Bonds for his hands to be, -Nor might he rive them asunder, -So dear to his heart was she. - -Then spake the sweetling Signy -As the tears fast down her cheek did fall: -"O rend it asunder, Hafbur, -That gift to thee I give withal." - - -Now sat the-King's son Hafbur -Amidst the castle-hall, -And thronged to behold him man and maid, -But the damsels chiefest of all. - -They took him, the King's son Hafbur, -Laid bolts upon him in that place, -And ever went Signy to and fro, -The weary tears fell down apace. - -She speaketh to him in sorrowful mood: -"This will I, Hafbur, for thee, -Piteous prayer for thee shall make -My mother's sisters three. - -"For my father's mind stands fast in this, -To do thee to hang upon the bough -On the topmost oak in the morning-tide -While the sun is yet but low." - -But answered thereto young Hafbur -Out of a wrathful mind: -"Of all heeds I heeded, this was the last, -To be prayed for by womankind. - -"But hearken, true-love Signy, -Good heart to my asking turn, -When thou seest me swing on oaken-bough -Then let thy high-bower burn." - -Then answered the noble Signy, -So sore as she must moan, -"God to aid, King's son Hafbur, -Well will I grant thy boon." - - -They followed him, King Hafbur, -Thick thronging from the castle-bent: -And all who saw him needs must greet -And in full piteous wise they went. - -But when they came to the fair green mead -Where Hafbur was to die, -He prayed them hold a little while: -For his true-love would he try. - -"O hang me up my cloak of red, -That sight or my ending let me see. -Perchance yet may King Siward rue -My hanging on the gallows tree." - -Now of the cloak was Signy ware -And sorely sorrow her heart did rive, -She thought: "The ill tale all is told, -No longer is there need to live." - -Straightway her damsels did she call -As weary as she was of mind: -"Come, let us go to the bower aloft -Game and glee for a while to find." - -Yea and withal spake Signy, -She spake a word of price: -"To-day shall I do myself to death -And meet Hafbur in Paradise. - -"And whoso there be in this our house -Lord Hafbur's death that wrought, -Good reward I give them now -To red embers to be brought. - -"So many there are in the King's garth -Of Hafbur's death shall be glad; -Good reward for them to lose -The trothplight mays they had." - -She set alight to the bower aloft -And it burned up speedily, -And her good love and her great heart -Might all with eyen see. - - -It was the King's son Hafbur -O'er his shoulder cast his eye, -And beheld how Signy's house of maids -On a red low stood on high. - -"Now take ye down my cloak of red. -Let it lie on the earth a-cold; -Had I ten lives of the world for one, -Nought of them all would I hold." - -King Siward looked out of his window fair -In fearful mood enow, -For he saw Hafbur hanging on oak -And Signy's bower on a low. - -Out then spake a little page -Was clad in kirtle red: -"Sweet Signy burns in her bower aloft, -With all her mays unwed." - -Therewithal spake King Siward -From rueful heart unfain; -"Ne'er saw I two King's children erst -Such piteous ending gain. - -"But had I wist or heard it told -That love so strong should be, -Ne'er had I held those twain apart -For all Denmark given me. - -"O hasten and run to Signy's bower -For the life of that sweet thing; -Hasten and run to the gallows high, -No thief is Hafbur the King." - -But when they came to Signy's bower -Low it lay in embers red; -And when they came to the gallows tree, -Hafbur was stark and dead. - -They took him the King's son Hafbur, -Swathed him in linen white, -And laid him in the earth of Christ -By Signy his delight. -_O wilt thou win me then, -or as fair a maid as I be?_ - - - - - -GOLDILOCKS AND GOLDILOCKS - - -It was Goldilocks woke up in the morn -At the first of the shearing of the corn. - -There stood his mother on the hearth -And of new-leased wheat was little dearth. - -There stood his sisters by the quern, -For the high-noon cakes they needs must earn. - -"O tell me Goldilocks my son, -Why hast thou coloured raiment on?" - -"Why should I wear the hodden grey -When I am light of heart to-day?" - -"O tell us, brother, why ye wear -In reaping-tide the scarlet gear? - -Why hangeth the sharp sword at thy side -When through the land 'tis the hook goes wide?" - -"Gay-clad am I that men may know -The freeman's son where'er I go. - -The grinded sword at side I bear -Lest I the dastard's word should hear." - -"O tell me Goldilocks my son, -Of whither away thou wilt be gone?" - -"The morn is fair and the world is wide, -And here no more will I abide." - -"O Brother, when wilt thou come again?" -"The autumn drought, and the winter rain, - -The frost and the snow, and St. David's wind, -All these that were time out of mind, - -All these a many times shall be -Ere the Upland Town again I see." - -"O Goldilocks my son, farewell, -As thou wendest the world 'twixt home and hell!" - -"O brother Goldilocks, farewell, -Come back with a tale for men to tell!" - - - -So 'tis wellaway for Goldilocks, -As he left the land of the wheaten shocks. - -He's gotten him far from the Upland Town, -And he's gone by Dale and he's gone by Down. - -He's come to the wild-wood dark and drear, -Where never the bird's song doth he hear. - -He has slept in the moonless wood and dim -With never a voice to comfort him. - -He has risen up under the little light -Where the noon is as dark as the summer night. - -Six days therein has he walked alone -Till his scrip was bare and his meat was done. - -On the seventh morn in the mirk, mirk wood, -He saw sight that he deemed was good. - -It was as one sees a flower a-bloom -In the dusky heat of a shuttered room. - -He deemed the fair thing far aloof, -And would go and put it to the proof. - -But the very first step he made from the place -He met a maiden face to face. - -Face to face, and so close was she -That their lips met soft and lovingly. - -Sweet-mouthed she was, and fair he wist; -And again in the darksome wood they kissed. - -Then first in the wood her voice he heard, -As sweet as the song of the summer bird. - -"O thou fair man with the golden head. -What is the name of thee?" she said. - -"My name is Goldilocks," said he; -"O sweet-breathed, what is the name of thee?" - -"O Goldilocks the Swain," she said, -"My name is Goldilocks the Maid." - -He spake, "Love me as I love thee, -And Goldilocks one flesh shall be." - -She said, "Fair man, I wot not how -Thou lovest, but I love thee now. - -But come a little hence away, -That I may see thee in the day. - -For hereby is a wood-lawn clear -And good for awhile for us it were." - -Therewith she took him by the hand -And led him into the lighter land. - - - -There on the grass they sat adown. -Clad she was in a kirtle brown. - -In all the world was never maid -So fair, so evilly arrayed. - -No shoes upon her feet she had, -And scantly were her shoulders clad; - -Through her brown kirtle's rents full wide -Shone out the sleekness of her side. - -An old scrip hung about her neck, -Nought of her raiment did she reck. - -No shame of all her rents had she; -She gazed upon him eagerly. - -She leaned across the grassy space -And put her hands about his face. - -She said: "O hunger-pale art thou, -Yet shalt thou eat though I hunger now." - -She took him apples from her scrip, -She kissed him, cheek and chin and lip. - -She took him cakes of woodland bread: -"Whiles am I hunger-pinched," she said. - -She had a gourd and a pilgrim shell; -She took him water from the well. - -She stroked his breast and his scarlet gear; -She spake, "How brave thou art and dear!" - -Her arms about him did she wind; -He felt her body dear and kind. - - - -"O love," she said, "now two are one, -And whither hence shall we be gone?" - -"Shall we fare further than this wood," -Quoth he, "I deem it dear and good?" - -She shook her head, and laughed, and spake; -"Rise up! For thee, not me, I quake. - -Had she been minded me to slay -Sure she had done it ere to-day. - -But thou: this hour the crone shall know -That thou art come, her very foe. - -No minute more on tidings wait, -Lest e'en this minute be too late." - -She led him from the sunlit green, -Going sweet-stately as a queen. - -There in the dusky wood, and dim, -As forth they went, she spake to him: - -"Fair man, few people have I seen -Amidst this world of woodland green: - -But I would have thee tell me now -If there be many such as thou." - -"Betwixt the mountains and the sea, -O Sweet, be many such," said he. - -Athwart the glimmering air and dim -With wistful eyes she looked on him. - -"But ne'er an one so shapely made -Mine eyes have looked upon," she said. - -He kissed her face, and cried in mirth: -"Where hast thou dwelt then on the earth?" - -"Ever," she said, "I dwell alone -With a hard-handed cruel crone. - -And of this crone am I the thrall -To serve her still in bower and hall; - -And fetch and carry in the wood, -And do whate'er she deemeth good. - -But whiles a sort of folk there come -And seek my mistress at her home; - -But such-like are they to behold -As make my very blood run cold. - -Oft have I thought, if there be none -On earth save these, would all were done! - -Forsooth, I knew it was not so, -But that fairer folk on earth did grow. - -But fain and full is the heart in me -To know that folk are like to thee." - -Then hand in hand they stood awhile -Till her tears rose up beneath his smile. - -And he must fold her to his breast -To give her heart a while of rest. - -Till sundered she and gazed about, -And bent her brows as one in doubt. - -She spake: "The wood is growing thin, -Into the full light soon shall we win. - -Now crouch we that we be not seen, -Under yon bramble-bushes green." - -Under the bramble-bush they lay -Betwixt the dusk and the open day. - - - -"O Goldilocks my love, look forth -And let me know what thou seest of worth." - -He said: "I see a house of stone, -A castle excellently done." - -"Yea," quoth she, "There doth the mistress dwell. -What next thou seest shalt thou tell." - -"What lookest thou to see come forth?" -"Maybe a white bear of the North." - -"Then shall my sharp sword lock his mouth." -"Nay," she said, "or a worm of the South." - -"Then shall my sword his hot blood cool." -"Nay, or a whelming poison-pool." - -"The trees its swelling flood shall stay, -And thrust its venomed lip away." - -"Nay, it may be a wild-fire flash -To burn thy lovely limbs to ash." - -"On mine own hallows shall I call, -And dead its flickering flame shall fall." - -"O Goldilocks my love, I fear -That ugly death shall seek us here. - -Look forth, O Goldilocks my love. -That I thine hardy heart may prove. - -What cometh down the stone-wrought stair -That leadeth up to the castle fair?" - -"Adown the doorward stair of stone -There cometh a woman all alone." - -"Yea, that forsooth shall my mistress be: -O Goldilocks, what like is she?" - -"O fair she is of her array, -As hitherward she wends her way." - -"Unlike her wont is that indeed: -Is she not foul beneath her weed?" - -"O nay, nay! But most wondrous fair -Of all the women earth doth bear." - -"O Goldilocks, my heart, my heart! -Woe, woe! for now we drift apart." - -But up he sprang from the bramble-side, -And "O thou fairest one!" he cried: - -And forth he ran that Queen to meet, -And fell before her gold-clad feet. - -About his neck her arms she cast, -And into the fair-built house they passed. - -And under the bramble-bushes lay -Unholpen, Goldilocks the may. - - - -Thenceforth a while of time there wore, -And Goldilocks came forth no more. - -Throughout that house he wandered wide, -Both up and down, from side to side. - -But never he saw an evil crone, -But a full fair Queen on a golden throne. - -Never a barefoot maid did he see, -But a gay and gallant company. - -He sat upon the golden throne, -And beside him sat the Queen alone. - -Kind she was, as she loved him well, -And many a merry tale did tell. - -But nought he laughed, nor spake again, -For all his life was waste and vain. - -Cold was his heart, and all afraid -To think on Goldilocks the Maid. - - - -Withal now was the wedding dight -When he should wed that lady bright. - -The night was gone, and the day was up -When they should drink the bridal cup. - -And he sat at the board beside the Queen, -Amidst of a guest-folk well beseen. - -But scarce was midmorn on the hall, -When down did the mirk of midnight fall. - -Then up and down from the board they ran, -And man laid angry hand on man. - -There was the cry, and the laughter shrill, -And every manner word of ill. - -Whoso of men had hearkened it, -Had deemed he had woke up over the Pit. - -Then spake the Queen o'er all the crowd, -And grim was her speech, and harsh, and loud: - -"Hold now your peace, ye routing swine, -While I sit with mine own love over the wine! - -For this dusk is the very deed of a foe, -Or under the sun no man I know." - -And hard she spake, and loud she cried -Till the noise of the bickering guests had died. - -Then again she spake amidst of the mirk, -In a voice like an unoiled wheel at work: - -"Whoso would have a goodly gift, -Let him bring aback the sun to the lift. - -Let him bring aback the light and the day, -And rich and in peace he shall go his way." - -Out spake a voice was clean and clear: -"Lo, I am she to dight your gear; - -But I for the deed a gift shall gain, -To sit by Goldilocks the Swain. - -I shall sit at the board by the bridegroom's side, -And be betwixt him and the bride. - -I shall eat of his dish, and drink of his cup, -Until for the bride-bed ye rise up." - -Then was the Queen's word wailing-wild: -"E'en so must it be, thou Angel's child. - -Thou shalt sit by my groom till the dawn of night, -And then shalt thou wend thy ways aright." - -Said the voice, "Yet shalt thou swear an oath -That free I shall go though ye be loth." - -"How shall I swear?" the false Queen spake: -"Wherewith the sure oath shall I make?" - -"Thou shalt swear by the one eye left in thine head, -And the throng of the ghosts of the evil dead." - -She swore the oath, and then she spake: -"Now let the second dawn awake." - -And e'en therewith the thing was done; -There was peace in the hall, and the light of the sun. - -And again the Queen was calm and fair, -And courteous sat the guest-folk there. - -Yet unto Goldilocks it seemed -As if amidst the night he dreamed; - -As if he sat in a grassy place, -While slim hands framed his hungry face; - -As if in the clearing of the wood -One gave him bread and apples good; - -And nought he saw of the guest-folk gay, -And nought of all the Queen's array. - -Yet saw he betwixt board and door, -A slim maid tread the chequered floor. - -Her gown of green so fair was wrought, -That clad her body seemed with nought - -But blossoms of the summer-tide, -That wreathed her, limbs and breast and side. - -And, stepping towards him daintily, -A basket in her hand had she. - -And as she went, from head to feet, -Surely was she most dainty-sweet. - -Love floated round her, and her eyes -Gazed from her fairness glad and wise; - -But babbling-loud the guests were grown; -Unnoted was she and unknown. - - - -Now Goldilocks she sat beside, -But nothing changed was the Queenly bride; - -Yea too, and Goldilocks the Swain -Was grown but dull and dazed again. - -The Queen smiled o'er the guest-rich board, -Although his wine the Maiden poured; - -Though from his dish the Maiden ate, -The Queen sat happy and sedate. - -But now the Maiden fell to speak -From lips that well-nigh touched his cheek: - -"O Goldilocks, dost thou forget? -Or mindest thou the mirk-wood yet? - -Forgettest thou the hunger-pain -And all thy young life made but vain? - -How there was nought to help or aid, -But for poor Goldilocks the Maid?" - -She murmured, "Each to each we two, -Our faces from the wood-mirk grew. - -Hast thou forgot the grassy place, -And love betwixt us face to face? - -Hast thou forgot how fair I deemed -Thy face? How fair thy garment seemed? - -Thy kisses on my shoulders bare, -Through rents of the poor raiment there? - -My arms that loved thee nought unkissed -All o'er from shoulder unto wrist? - -Hast thou forgot how brave thou wert, -Thou with thy fathers' weapon girt; - -When underneath the bramble-bush -I quaked like river-shaken rash, - -Wondering what new-wrought shape of death -Should quench my new love-quickened breath? - -Or else: forget'st thou, Goldilocks, -Thine own land of the wheaten shocks? - -Thy mother and thy sisters dear, -Thou said'st would bide thy true-love there? - -Hast thou forgot? Hast thou forgot? -O love, my love, I move thee not." - - - -Silent the fair Queen sat and smiled, -And heeded nought the Angel's child, - -For like an image fashioned fair -Still sat the Swain with empty stare. - -These words seemed spoken not, but writ -As foolish tales through night-dreams flit. - -Vague pictures passed before his sight, -As in the first dream of the night. - - - -But the Maiden opened her basket fair, -And set two doves on the table there. - -And soft they cooed, and sweet they billed -Like man and maid with love fulfilled. - -Therewith the Maiden reached a hand -To a dish that on the board did stand; - -And she crumbled a share of the spice-loaf brown, -And the Swain upon her hand looked down; - -Then unto the fowl his eyes he turned; -And as in a dream his bowels yearned - -For somewhat that he could not name; -And into his heart a hope there came. - -And still he looked on the hands of the Maid, -As before the fowl the crumbs she laid. - -And he murmured low, "O Goldilocks! -Were we but amid the wheaten shocks!" - -Then the false Queen knit her brows and laid -A fair white hand by the hand of the Maid. - -He turned his eyes away thereat, -And closer to the Maiden sat. - - - -But the queen-bird now the carle-bird fed -Till all was gone of the sugared bread. - -Then with wheedling voice for more he craved, -And the Maid a share from the spice-loaf shaved; - -And the crumbs within her hollow hand -She held where the creeping doves did stand. - -But Goldilocks, he looked and longed, -And saw how the carle the queen-bird wronged. - -For when she came to the hand to eat -The hungry queen-bird thence he beat. - -Then Goldilocks the Swain spake low: -"Foul fall thee, bird, thou doest now - -As I to Goldilocks, my sweet, -Who gave my hungry mouth to eat." - -He felt her hand as he did speak, -He felt her face against his cheek. - -He turned and stood in the evil hall, -And swept her up in arms withal. - -Then was there hubbub wild and strange, -And swiftly all things there 'gan change. - -The fair Queen into a troll was grown, -A one-eyed, bow-backed, haggard crone. - -And though the hall was yet full fair, -And bright the sunshine streamed in there, - -On evil shapes it fell forsooth: -Swine-heads; small red eyes void of ruth; - -And bare-boned bodies of vile things, -And evil-feathered bat-felled wings. - -And all these mopped and mowed and grinned, -And sent strange noises down the wind. - -There stood those twain unchanged alone -To face the horror of the crone; - -She crouched against them by the board; -And cried the Maid: "Thy sword, thy sword! - -Thy sword, O Goldilocks! For see -She will not keep her oath to me." - -Out flashed the blade therewith. He saw -The foul thing sidelong toward them draw, - -Holding within her hand a cup -Wherein some dreadful drink seethed up. - -Then Goldilocks cried out and smote, -And the sharp blade sheared the evil throat. - -The head fell noseling to the floor; -The liquor from the cup did pour, - -And ran along a sparkling flame -That nigh unto their footsoles came. - -Then empty straightway was the hall, -Save for those twain, and she withal. - -So fled away the Maid and Man, -And down the stony stairway ran. - - - -Fast fled they o'er the sunny grass, -Yet but a little way did pass - -Ere cried the Maid: "Now cometh forth -The snow-white ice-bear of the North; - -Turn, Goldilocks, and heave up sword!" -Then fast he stood upon the sward, - -And faced the beast, that whined and cried, -And shook his head from side to side. - -But round him the Swain danced and leaped, -And soon the grisly head he reaped. - -And then the ancient blade he sheathed, -And ran unto his love sweet-breathed; - -And caught her in his arms and ran -Fast from that house, the bane of man. - - - -Yet therewithal he spake her soft -And kissed her over oft and oft, - -Until from kissed and trembling mouth -She cried: "The Dragon of the South!" - -He set her down and turned about, -And drew the eager edges out. - -And therewith scaly coil on coil -Reared 'gainst his face the mouth aboil: - -The gaping jaw and teeth of dread -Was dark 'twixt heaven and his head. - -But with no fear, no thought, no word, -He thrust the thin-edged ancient sword. - -And the hot blood ran from the hairy throat, -And set the summer grass afloat. - -Then back he turned and caught her hand, -And never a minute did they stand. - -But as they ran on toward the wood, -He deemed her swift feet fair and good. - - - -She looked back o'er her shoulder fair: -"The whelming poison-pool is here; - -And now availeth nought the blade: -O if my cherished trees might aid! - -But now my feet fail. Leave me then! -And hold my memory dear of men." - -He caught her in his arms again; -Of her dear side was he full fain. - -Her body in his arms was dear: -"Sweet art thou, though we perish here!" - -Like quicksilver came on the flood: -But lo, the borders of the wood! - -She slid from out his arms and stayed; -Round a great oak her arms she laid. - -"If e'er I saved thee, lovely tree, -From axe and saw, now succour me: - -Look how the venom creeps anigh, -Help! lest thou see me writhe and die." - -She crouched beside the upheaved root, -The bubbling venom touched her foot; - -Then with a sucking gasping sound -It ebbed back o'er the blighted ground. - - - -Up then she rose and took his hand -And never a moment did they stand. - -"Come, love," she cried, "the ways I know, -How thick soe'er the thickets grow. - -O love, I love thee! O thine heart! -How mighty and how kind thou art!" - -Therewith they saw the tree-dusk lit, -Bright grey the great boles gleamed on it. - -"O flee," she said, "the sword is nought -Against the flickering fire-flaught." - -"But this availeth yet," said he, -"That Hallows All our love may see." - -He turned about and faced the glare: -"O Mother, help us, kind and fair! - -Now help me, true St. Nicholas, -If ever truly thine I was!" - -Therewith the wild-fire waned and paled, -And in the wood the light nigh failed; - -And all about 'twas as the night. -He said: "Now won is all our fight, - -And now meseems all were but good -If thou mightst bring us from the wood." - -She fawned upon him, face and breast; -She said: "It hangs 'twixt worst and best. - -And yet, O love, if thou be true, -One thing alone thou hast to do." - -Sweetly he kissed her, cheek and chin: -"What work thou biddest will I win." - -"O love, my love, I needs must sleep; -Wilt thou my slumbering body keep, - -And, toiling sorely, still bear on -The love thou seemest to have won?" - -"O easy toil," he said, "to bless -Mine arms with all thy loveliness." - -She smiled; "Yea, easy it may seem, -But harder is it than ye deem. - -For hearken! Whatso thou mayst see, -Piteous as it may seem to thee, - -Heed not nor hearken! bear me forth, -As though nought else were aught of worth. - -For all earth's wealth that may be found -Lay me not sleeping on the ground, - -To help, to hinder, or to save! -Or there for me thou diggest a grave." - - - -He took her body on his arm, -Her slumbering head lay on his barm. - -Then glad he bore her on the way, -And the wood grew lighter with the day. - -All still it was, till suddenly -He heard a bitter wail near by. - -Yet on he went until he heard -The cry become a shapen word: - -"Help me, O help, thou passer by! -Turn from the path, let me not die! - -I am a woman; bound and left -To perish; of all help bereft." - -Then died the voice out in a moan; -He looked upon his love, his own, - -And minding all she spake to him -Strode onward through the wild-wood dim. - -But lighter grew the woodland green -Till clear the shapes of things were seen. - -And therewith wild halloos he heard, -And shrieks, and cries of one afeard. - -Nigher it grew and yet more nigh -Till burst from out a brake near by - -A woman bare of breast and limb, -Who turned a piteous face to him - -E'en as she ran: for hard at heel -Followed a man with brandished steel, - -And yelling mouth. Then the Swain stood -One moment in the glimmering wood - -Trembling, ashamed: Yet now grown wise -Deemed all a snare for ears and eyes. - -So onward swiftlier still he strode -And cast all thought on his fair load. - -And yet in but a little space -Back came the yelling shrieking chase, - -And well-nigh gripped now by the man, -Straight unto him the woman ran; - -And underneath the gleaming steel -E'en at his very feet did kneel. - -She looked up; sobs were all her speech, -Yet sorely did her face beseech. - -While o'er her head the chaser stared, -Shaking aloft the edges bared. - -Doubted the Swain, and a while did stand -As she took his coat-lap in her hand. - -Upon his hand he felt her breath -Hot with the dread of present death. - -Sleek was her arm on his scarlet coat, -The sobbing passion rose in his throat. - -But e'en therewith he looked aside -And saw the face of the sleeping bride. - -Then he tore his coat from the woman's hand, -And never a moment there did stand. - -But swiftly thence away he strode -Along the dusky forest road. - -And there rose behind him laughter shrill, -And then was the windless wood all still, - -He looked around o'er all the place, -But saw no image of the chase. - -And as he looked the night-mirk now -O'er all the tangled wood 'gan flow. - -Then stirred the sweetling that he bore, -And she slid adown from his arms once more. - -Nought might he see her well-loved face; -But he felt her lips in the mirky place. - -"'Tis night," she said, "and the false day's gone, -And we twain in the wild-wood all alone. - -Night o'er the earth; so rest we here -Until to-morrow's sun is clear. - -For overcome is every foe -And home to-morrow shall we go." - -So 'neath the trees they lay, those twain, -And to them the darksome night was gain. - -But when the morrow's dawn was grey -They woke and kissed whereas they lay. - -And when on their feet they came to stand -Swain Goldilocks stretched out his hand. - -And he spake: "O love, my love indeed, -Where now is gone thy goodly weed? - -For again thy naked feet I see, -And thy sweet sleek arms so kind to me. - -Through thy rent kirtle once again -Thy shining shoulder showeth plain." - -She blushed as red as the sun-sweet rose: -"My garments gay were e'en of those - -That the false Queen dight to slay my heart; -And sore indeed was their fleshly smart. - -Yet must I bear them, well-beloved, -Until thy truth and troth was proved - -And this tattered coat is now for a sign -That thou hast won me to be thine. - -Now wilt thou lead along thy maid -To meet thy kindred unafraid." - -As stoops the falcon on the dove -He cast himself about her love. - -He kissed her over, cheek and chin, -He kissed the sweetness of her skin. - -Then hand in hand they went their way -Till the wood grew light with the outer day. - -At last behind them lies the wood, -And before are the Upland Acres good. - -On the hill's brow awhile they stay -At midmorn of the merry day. - -He sheareth a deal from his kirtle meet, -To make her sandals for her feet. - -He windeth a wreath of the beechen tree, -Lest men her shining shoulders see. - -And a wreath of woodbine sweet, to hide -The rended raiment of her side; - -And a crown of poppies red as wine, -Lest on her head the hot sun shine. - -She kissed her love withal and smiled: -"Lead forth, O love, the Woodland Child! - -Most meet and right meseems it now -That I am clad with the woodland bough. - -For betwixt the oak-tree and the thorn -Meseemeth erewhile was I born. - -And if my mother aught I knew, -It was of the woodland folk she grew. - -And O that thou art well at ease -To wed the daughter of the trees!" - -Now Goldilocks and Goldilocks -Go down amidst the wheaten shocks, - -But when anigh to the town they come, -Lo there is the wain a-wending home, - -And many a man and maid beside, -Who tossed the sickles up, and cried: - -"O Goldilocks, now whither away? -And what wilt thou with the woodland may?" - -"O this is Goldilocks my bride, -And we come adown from the wild-wood side, - -And unto the Fathers' House we wend -To dwell therein till life shall end." - -"Up then on the wain, that ye may see -From afar how thy mother bideth thee. - -That ye may see how kith and kin -Abide thee, bridal brave to win." - -So Goldilocks and Goldilocks -Sit high aloft on the wheaten shocks, - -And fair maids sing before the wain, -For all of Goldilocks are fain. - - - -But when they came to the Fathers' door, -There stood his mother old and hoar. - -Yet was her hair with grey but blent, -When forth from the Upland Town he went. - -There by the door his sisters stood: -Full fair they were and fresh of blood; - -Little they were when he went away; -Now each is meet for a young man's may. - -"O tell me, Goldilocks, my son, -What are the deeds that thou hast done?" - -"I have wooed me a wife in the forest wild, -And home I bring the Woodland Child." - -"A little deed to do, O son, -So long a while as thou wert gone." - -"O mother, yet is the summer here -Now I bring aback my true-love dear. - -And therewith an Evil Thing have I slain; -Yet I come with the first-come harvest-wain." - -"O Goldilocks, my son, my son! -How good is the deed that thou hast done? - -But how long the time that is worn away! -Lo! white is my hair that was but grey. - -And lo these sisters here, thine own, -How tall, how meet for men-folk grown! - -Come, see thy kin in the feasting-hall, -And tell me if thou knowest them all! - -O son, O son, we are blithe and fain; -But the autumn drought, and the winter rain, - -The frost and the snow, and St. David's wind, -All these that were, time out of mind, - -All these a many times have been -Since thou the Upland Town hast seen." - - - -Then never a word spake Goldilocks -Till they came adown from the wheaten shocks. - -And there beside his love he stood -And he saw her body sweet and good. - -Then round her love his arms he cast: -"The years are as a tale gone past. - -But many the years that yet shall be -Of the merry tale of thee and me. - -Come, love, and look on the Fathers' Hall, -And the folk of the kindred one and all! - -For now the Fathers' House is kind, -And all the ill is left behind. - -And Goldilocks and Goldilocks -Shall dwell in the land of the Wheaten Shocks." - - - - - -LOVE IS ENOUGH - -OR - -THE FREEING OF PHARAMOND - - -_DRAMATIS PERSONAE_ - - -GILES, } _Peasant-folk._ -JOAN, _his Wife_, } - -THE EMPEROR. - -THE EMPRESS. - -THE MAYOR. - - -A COUNCILLOR. - -MASTER OLIVER, _King Pharamond's Foster-father_. - -A NORTHERN LORD. - -KING PHARAMOND. - -AZALAIS, _his Love_. - -KING THEOBALD. - -HONORIUS, _the Councillor_. - - -LOVE. - - - - -LOVE IS ENOUGH - - - -ARGUMENT - -This story, which is told by way of a morality set before an Emperor -and Empress newly wedded, showeth of a King whom nothing but Love -might satisfy, who left all to seek Love, and, having found it, found -this also, that he had enough, though he lacked all else. - - -_In the streets of a great town where the people are gathered -together thronging to see the Emperor and Empress pass_. - - - -GILES - -Look long, Joan, while I hold you so, -For the silver trumpets come arow. - - -JOAN - -O the sweet sound! the glorious sight! -O Giles, Giles, see this glittering Knight! - - -GILES - -Nay 'tis the Marshalls'-sergeant, sweet-- ---Hold, neighbour, let me keep my feet!-- -There, now your head is up again; -Thus held up have you aught of pain? - - -JOAN - -Nay, clear I see, and well at ease! -God's body! what fair Kings be these? - - -GILES - -The Emperor's chamberlains, behold -Their silver shoes and staves of gold. -Look, look! how like some heaven come down -The maidens go with girded gown! - - -JOAN - -Yea, yea, and this last row of them -Draw up their kirtles by the hem, -And scatter roses e'en like those -About my father's garden-close. - - -GILES - -Ah! have I hurt you? See the girls -Whose slim hands scatter very pearls. - - -JOAN - -Hold me fast, Giles! here comes one -Whose raiment flashes down the sun. - - -GILES - -O sweet mouth! O fair lids cast down! -O white brow! O the crown, the crown! - - -JOAN - -How near! if nigher I might stand -By one ell, I could touch his hand. - - -GILES - -Look, Joan! if on this side she were -Almost my hand might touch her hair. - - -JOAN - -Ah me! what is she thinking on? - - -GILES - -Is he content now all is won? - - -JOAN - -And does she think as I thought, when -Betwixt the dancing maids and men, -Twixt the porch rose-boughs blossomed red -I saw the roses on my bed? - - -GILES - -Hath he such fear within his heart -As I had, when the wind did part -The jasmine-leaves, and there within -The new-lit taper glimmered thin? - - - -THE MUSIC - -(As the EMPEROR and EMPRESS enter.) - - -_LOVE IS ENOUGH; though the World be a-waning -And the woods have no voice but the voice of complaining, - Though the sky be too dark for dim eyes to discover -The gold-cups and daisies fair blooming thereunder; -Though the hills be held shadows, and the sea a dark wonder, - And this day draw a veil over all deeds passed over, -Yet their hands shall not tremble, their feet shall not falter, -The void shall not weary, the fear shall not alter - These lips and these eyes of the loved and the lover._ - - - - -THE EMPEROR - -The spears flashed by me, and the swords swept round, -And in war's hopeless tangle was I bound, -But straw and stubble were the cold points found, -For still thy hands led down the weary way. - - -THE EMPRESS - -Through hall and street they led me as a queen, -They looked to see me proud and cold of mien, -I heeded not though all my tears were seen, -For still I dreamed of thee throughout the day. - - -THE EMPEROR - -Wild over bow and bulwark swept the sea -Unto the iron coast upon our lee, -Like painted cloth its fury was to me, -For still thy hands led down the weary way. - - -THE EMPRESS - -They spoke to me of war within the land, -They bade me sign defiance and command; -I heeded not though thy name left my hand, -For still I dreamed of thee throughout the day. - - -THE EMPEROR - -But now that I am come, and side by side -We go, and men cry gladly on the bride -And tremble at the image of my pride, -Where is thy hand to lead me down the way? - -THE EMPRESS - -But now that thou art come, and heaven and earth -Are laughing in the fulness of their mirth, -A shame I knew not in my heart has birth-- ---Draw me through dreams unto the end of day! - - -THE EMPEROR - -Behold, behold, how weak my heart is grown -Now all the heat of its desire is known! -Pearl beyond price I fear to call mine own, -Where is thy hand to lead me down the way? - - -THE EMPRESS - -Behold, behold, how little I may move! -Think in thy heart how terrible is Love, -O thou who know'st my soul as God above-- ---Draw me through dreams unto the end of day! - - -_The stage for the play in another part of the street, and the -people thronging all about_. - - - -GILES - -Here, Joan, this is so good a place -'Tis worth the scramble and the race! -There is the Empress just sat down, -Her white hands on her golden gown, -While yet the Emperor stands to hear -The welcome of the bald-head Mayor -Unto the show; and you shall see -The player-folk come in presently. -The king of whom is e'en that one, -Who wandering but a while agone -Stumbled upon our harvest-home -That August when you might not come. -Betwixt the stubble and the grass -Great mirth indeed he brought to pass. -But liefer were I to have seen -Your nimble feet tread down the green -In threesome dance to pipe and fife. - - -JOAN - -Thou art a dear thing to my life, -And nought good have I far to seek-- -But hearken! for the Mayor will speak. - - -THE MAYOR - -Since your grace bids me speak without stint or sparing -A thing little splendid I pray you to see: -Early is the day yet, for we near the dawning -Drew on chains dear-bought, and gowns done with gold; -So may ye high ones hearken an hour -A tale that our hearts hold worthy and good, -Of Pharamond the Freed, who, a king feared and honoured, -Fled away to find love from his crown and his folk. -E'en as I tell of it somewhat I tremble -Lest we, fearful of treason to the love that fulfils you, -Should seem to make little of the love that ye give us, -Of your lives full of glory, of the deeds that your lifetime -Shall gleam with for ever when we are forgotten. -Forgive it for the greatness of that Love who compels us.-- -Hark! in the minster-tower minish the joy-bells, -And all men are hushed now these marvels to hear. - - -THE EMPEROR (_to the MAYOR_) - -We thank your love, that sees our love indeed -Toward you, toward Love, toward life of toil and need: -We shall not falter though your poet sings -Of all defeat, strewing the crowns of kings -About the thorny ways where Love doth wend, -Because we know us faithful to the end -Toward you, toward Love, toward life of war and deed, -And well we deem your tale shall help our need. - -(_To the EMPRESS_) - -So many hours to pass before the sun -Shall blush ere sleeping, and the day be done! -How thinkest thou, my sweet, shall such a tale -For lengthening or for shortening them avail? - - -THE EMPRESS - -Nay, dreamland has no clocks the wise ones say, -And while our hands move at the break of day -We dream of years: and I am dreaming still -And need no change my cup of joy to fill: -Let them say on, and I shall hear thy voice -Telling the tale, and in its love rejoice. - - -THE MUSIC - -(As the singers enter and stand before the curtain, the player-king -and player-maiden in the midst.) - - -_LOVE IS ENOUGH: have no thought for to-morrow - If ye lie down this even in rest from your pain, -Ye who have paid for your bliss with great sorrow: - For as it was once so it shall be again. - Ye shall cry out for death as ye stretch forth in vain. - -Feeble hands to the hands that would help but they may not, - Cry out to deaf ears that would hear if they could; -Till again shall the change come, and words your lips say not - Your hearts make all plain in the best wise they would - And the world ye thought waning is glorious and good: - -And no morning now mocks you and no nightfall is weary, - The plains are not empty of song and of deed: -The sea strayeth not, nor the mountains are dreary; - The wind is not helpless for any man's need, - Nor falleth the rain but for thistle and weed. - -O surely this morning all sorrow is hidden, - All battle is hushed for this even at least; -And no one this noontide may hunger, unbidden - To the flowers and the singing and the joy of your feast - Where silent ye sit midst the world's tale increased. - -Lo, the lovers unloved that draw nigh for your blessing! - For your tale makes the dreaming whereby yet they live -The dreams of the day with their hopes of redressing, - The dreams of the night with the kisses they give, - The dreams of the dawn wherein death and hope strive. - -Ah, what shall we say then, but that earth threatened often - Shall live on for ever that such things may be, -That the dry seed shall quicken, the hard earth shall soften, - And the spring-bearing birds flutter north o'er the sea, - That earth's garden may bloom round my love's feet and me?_ - - - -THE EMPEROR - -Lo you, my sweet, fair folk are one and all -And with good grace their broidered robes do fall, -And sweet they sing indeed: but he, the King, -Look but a little how his fingers cling -To her's, his love that shall be in the play-- -His love that hath been surely ere to-day: -And see, her wide soft eyes cast down at whiles -Are opened not to note the people's smiles -But her love's lips, and dreamily they stare -As though they sought the happy country, where -They two shall be alone, and the world dead. - - -THE EMPRESS - -Most faithful eyes indeed look from the head -The sun has burnt, and wind and rain has beat, -Well may he find her slim brown fingers sweet. -And he--methinks he trembles, lest he find -That song of his not wholly to her mind. -Note how his grey eyes look askance to see -Her bosom heaving with the melody -His heart loves well: rough with the wind and rain -His cheek is, hollow with some ancient pain; -The sun has burned and blanched his crispy hair, -And over him hath swept a world of care -And left him careless, rugged, and her own; -Still fresh desired, still strange and new, though known. - - -THE EMPEROR - -His eyes seem dreaming of the mysteries -Deep in the depths of her familiar eyes, -Tormenting and alluring; does he dream, -As I ofttime this morn, how they would seem -Loved but unloving?--Nay the world's too sweet -That we the ghost of such a pain should meet-- -Behold, she goes, and he too, turning round, -Remembers that his love must yet be found, -That he is King and loveless in this story -Wrought long ago for some dead poet's glory. - - [_Exeunt players behind the curtain_. - - -_Enter before the curtain LOVE crowned as a King_. - - -LOVE - -All hail, my servants! tremble ye, my foes! -A hope for these I have, a fear for those -Hid in this tale of Pharamond the Freed. -To-day, my Faithful, nought shall be your need -Of tears compassionate:--although full oft -The crown of love laid on my bosom soft -Be woven of bitter death and deathless fame, -Bethorned with woe, and fruited thick with shame. ---This for the mighty of my courts I keep, -Lest through the world there should be none to weep -Except for sordid loss; and not to gain -But satiate pleasure making mock of pain. ---Yea, in the heaven from whence my dreams go forth -Are stored the signs that make the world of worth: -There is the wavering wall of mighty Troy -About my Helen's hope and Paris' joy: -There lying neath the fresh dyed mulberry-tree -The sword and cloth of Pyramus I see: -There is the number of the joyless days -Wherein Medea won no love nor praise: -There is the sand my Ariadne pressed; -The footprints of the feet that knew no rest -While o'er the sea forth went the fatal sign: -The asp of Egypt, the Numidian wine, -My Sigurd's sword, my Brynhild's fiery bed, -The tale of years of Gudrun's drearihead, -And Tristram's glaive, and Iseult's shriek are here, -And cloister-gown of joyless Guenevere. - -Save you, my Faithful! how your loving eyes -Grow soft and gleam with all these memories! -But on this day my crown is not of death: -My fire-tipped arrows, and my kindling breath -Are all the weapons I shall need to-day. -Nor shall my tale in measured cadence play -About the golden lyre of Gods long gone, -Nor dim and doubtful 'twixt the ocean's moan -Wail out about the Northern fiddle-bow, -Stammering with pride or quivering shrill with woe. -Rather caught up at hazard is the pipe -That mixed with scent of roses over ripe, -And murmur of the summer afternoon, -May charm you somewhat with its wavering tune -'Twixt joy and sadness: whatsoe'er it saith, -I know at least there breathes through it my breath - - -OF PHARAMOND THE FREED - - -_Scene: In the Kings Chamber of Audience. - -MASTER OLIVER and many LORDS and COUNCILLORS_. - - - -A COUNCILLOR - -Fair Master Oliver, thou who at all times -Mayst open thy heart to our lord and master, -Tell us what tidings thou hast to deliver; -For our hearts are grown heavy, and where shall we turn to -If thus the king's glory, our gain and salvation, -Must go down the wind amid gloom and despairing? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Little may be looked for, fair lords, in my story, -To lighten your hearts of the load lying on them. -For nine days the king hath slept not an hour, -And taketh no heed of soft words or beseeching. -Yea, look you, my lords, if a body late dead -In the lips and the cheeks should gain some little colour, -And arise and wend forth with no change in the eyes, -And wander about as if seeking its soul-- -Lo, e'en so sad is my lord and my master; -Yea, e'en so far hath his soul drifted from us. - - -A COUNCILLOR - -What say the leeches? Is all their skill left them? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Nay, they bade lead him to hunt and to tilting, -To set him on high in the throne of his honour -To judge heavy deeds: bade him handle the tiller, -And drive through the sea with the wind at its wildest; -All things he was wont to hold kingly and good. -So we led out his steed and he straight leapt upon him -With no word, and no looking to right nor to left, -And into the forest we fared as aforetime: -Fast on the king followed, and cheered without stinting -The hounds to the strife till the bear stood at bay; -Then there he alone by the beech-trees alighted; -Barehanded, unarmoured, he handled the spear-shaft, -And blew up the death on the horn of his father; -Yet still in his eyes was no look of rejoicing, -And no life in his lips; but I likened him rather -To King Nimrod carved fair on the back of the high-seat -When the candles are dying, and the high moon is streaming -Through window and luffer white on the lone pavement -Whence the guests are departed in the hall of the palace.-- ---Rode we home heavily, he with his rein loose, -Feet hanging free from the stirrups, and staring -At a clot of the bear's blood that stained his green kirtle;-- -Unkingly, unhappy, he rode his ways homeward. - - -A COUNCILLOR - -Was this all ye tried, or have ye more tidings? -For the wall tottereth not at first stroke of the ram. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Nay, we brought him a-board the Great Dragon one dawning, -When the cold bay was flecked with the crests of white billows -And the clouds lay alow on the earth and the sea; -He looked not aloft as they hoisted the sail, -But with hand on the tiller hallooed to the shipmen -In a voice grown so strange, that it scarce had seemed stranger -If from the ship Argo, in seemly wise woven -On the guard-chamber hangings, some early grey dawning -Great Jason had cried, and his golden locks wavered. -Then e'en as the oars ran outboard, and dashed -In the wind-scattered foam and the sails bellied out, -His hand dropped from the tiller, and with feet all uncertain -And dull eye he wended him down to the midship, -And gazing about for the place of the gangway -Made for the gate of the bulwark half open, -And stood there and stared at the swallowing sea, -Then turned, and uncertain went wandering back sternward, -And sat down on the deck by the side of the helmsman, -Wrapt in dreams of despair; so I bade them turn shoreward, -And slowly he rose as the side grated stoutly -'Gainst the stones of the quay and they cast forth the hawser.-- -Unkingly, unhappy, he went his ways homeward. - - -A COUNCILLOR - -But by other ways yet had thy wisdom to travel; -How else did ye work for the winning him peace? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -We bade gather the knights for the goodliest tilting, -There the ladies went lightly in glorious array; -In the old arms we armed him whose dints well he knew -That the night dew had dulled and the sea salt had sullied: -On the old roan yet sturdy we set him astride; -So he stretched forth his hand to lay hold of the spear -Neither laughing nor frowning, as lightly his wont was -When the knights are awaiting the voice of the trumpet. -It awoke, and back beaten from barrier to barrier -Was caught up by knights' cries, by the cry of the king.-- ---Such a cry as red Mars in the Council-room window -May awake with some noon when the last horn is winded, -And the bones of the world are dashed grinding together. -So it seemed to my heart, and a horror came o'er me, -As the spears met, and splinters flew high o'er the field, -And I saw the king stay when his course was at swiftest, -His horse straining hard on the bit, and he standing -Stiff and stark in his stirrups, his spear held by the midmost, -His helm cast a-back, his teeth set hard together; -E'en as one might, who, riding to heaven, feels round him -The devils unseen: then he raised up the spear -As to cast it away, but therewith failed his fury, -He dropped it, and faintly sank back in the saddle, -And, turning his horse from the press and the turmoil, -Came sighing to me, and sore grieving I took him -And led him away, while the lists were fallen silent -As a fight in a dream that the light breaketh through.-- -To the tune of the clinking of his fight-honoured armour -Unkingly, unhappy, he went his ways homeward. - - -A COUNCILLOR - -What thing worse than the worst in the budget yet lieth? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -To the high court we brought him, and bade him to hearken -The pleading of his people, and pass sentence on evil. -His face changed with great pain, and his brow grew all furrowed, -As a grim tale was told there of the griefs of the lowly; -Till he took up the word, mid the trembling of tyrants, -As his calm voice and cold wrought death on ill doers-- ---E'en so might King Minos in marble there carven -Mid old dreaming of Crete give doom on the dead, -When the world and its deeds are dead too and buried.-- -But lo, as I looked, his clenched hands were loosened, -His lips grew all soft, and his eyes were beholding -Strange things we beheld not about and above him. -So he sat for a while, and then swept his robe round him -And arose and departed, not heeding his people, -The strange looks, the peering, the rustle and whisper; -But or ever he gained the gate that gave streetward, -Dull were his eyes grown, his feet were grown heavy, -His lips crooned complaining, as onward he stumbled;-- -Unhappy, unkingly, he went his ways homeward. - - -A COUNCILLOR - -Is all striving over then, fair Master Oliver? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -All mine, lords, for ever! help who may help henceforth -I am but helpless: too surely meseemeth -He seeth me not, and knoweth no more -Me that have loved him. Woe worth the while, Pharamond, -That men should love aught, love always as I loved! -Mother and sister and the sweetling that scorned me, -The wind of the autumn-tide over them sweepeth, -All are departed, but this one, the dear one-- -I should die or he died and be no more alone, -But God's hatred hangs round me, and the life and the glory -That grew with my waning life fade now before it, -And leaving no pity depart through the void. - - -A COUNCILLOR - -This is a sight full sorry to see -These tears of an elder! But soft now, one cometh. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -The feet of the king: will ye speak or begone? - - -A NORTHERN LORD - -I will speak at the least, whoever keeps silence, -For well it may be that the voice of a stranger -Shall break through his dreaming better than thine; -And lo now a word in my mouth is a-coming, -That the king well may hearken: how sayst thou, fair master, -Whose name now I mind not, wilt thou have me essay it? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Try whatso thou wilt, things may not be worser. [_Enter KING._ -Behold, how he cometh weighed down by his woe! - -(_To the KING_) - -All hail, lord and master! wilt thou hearken a little -These lords high in honour whose hearts are full heavy -Because thy heart sickeneth and knoweth no joy?-- - -(_To the COUNCILLORS_) - -Ah, see you! all silent, his eyes set and dreary, -His lips moving a little--how may I behold it? - - -THE NORTHERN LORD - -May I speak, king? dost hearken? many matters I have -To deal with or death. I have honoured thee duly -Down in the north there; a great name I have held thee; -Rough hand in the field, ready righter of wrong, -Reckless of danger, but recking of pity. -But now--is it false what the chapmen have told us, -And are thy fair robes all thou hast of a king? -Is it bragging and lies, that thou beardless and tender -Weptst not when they brought thy slain father before thee, -Trembledst not when the leaguer that lay round thy city -Made a light for these windows, a noise for thy pillow? -Is it lies what men told us of thy singing and laughter -As thou layst in thy lair fled away from lost battle? -Is it lies how ye met in the depths of the mountains, -And a handful rushed down and made nought of an army? -Those tales of your luck, like the tide at its turning, -Trusty and sure howso slowly it cometh, -Are they lies? Is it lies of wide lands in the world, -How they sent thee great men to lie low at thy footstool -In five years thenceforward, and thou still a youth? -Are they lies, these fair tidings, or what see thy lords here-- -Some love-sick girl's brother caught up by that sickness, -As one street beggar catches the pest from his neighbour? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -What words are these of lies and love-sickness? -Why am I lonely among all this brawling? -O foster-father, is all faith departed -That this hateful face should be staring upon me? - - -THE NORTHERN LORD - -Lo, now thou awakest; so tell me in what wise -I shall wend back again: set a word in my mouth -To meet the folks' murmur, and give heart to the heavy; -For there man speaks to man that thy measure is full, -And thy five-years-old kingdom is falling asunder. - - [_KING draws his sword_. - -Yea, yea, a fair token thy sword were to send them; -Thou dost well to draw it; (_KING brandishes his sword over the - lord's head, as if to strike him_): soft sound is its whistle; -Strike then, O king, for my wars are well over, -And dull is the way my feet tread to the grave! - - -KING PHARAMOND (_sheathing his sword_) - -Man, if ye have waked me, I bid you be wary -Lest my sword yet should reach you; ye wot in your northland -What hatred he winneth who waketh the shipman -From the sweet rest of death mid the welter of waves; -So with us may it fare; though I know thee full faithful, -Bold in field and in council, most fit for a king. ---Bear with me. I pray you that to none may be meted -Such a measure of pain as my soul is oppressed with. -Depart all for a little, till my spirit grows lighter, -Then come ye with tidings, and hold we fair council, -That my countries may know they have yet got a king. - [_Exeunt all but OLIVER and KING_. -Come, my foster-father, ere thy visage fade from me, -Come with me mid the flowers some opening to find -In the clouds that cling round me; if thou canst remember -Thine old lovingkindness when I was a king. - - - -THE MUSIC - - -_ -Love is enough; it grew up without heeding - In the days when ye knew not its name nor its measure - And its leaflets untrodden by the light feet of pleasure -Had no boast of the blossom, no sign of the seeding, - As the morning and evening passed over its treasure. - -And what do ye say then?--that Spring long departed - Has brought forth no child to the softness and showers; - --That we slept and we dreamed through the Summer of flowers; -We dreamed of the Winter, and waking dead-hearted - Found Winter upon us and waste of dull hours. - -Nay, Spring was o'er happy and knew not the reason, - And Summer dreamed sadly, for she thought all was ended - In her fulness of wealth that might not be amended; -But this is the harvest and the garnering season, - And the leaf and the blossom in the ripe fruit are blended. - -It sprang without sowing, it grew without heeding, - Ye knew not its name and ye knew not its measure, - Ye noted it not mid your hope and your pleasure; -There was pain in its blossom, despair in its seeding, - But daylong your bosom now nurseth its treasure. -_ - - -_Enter before the curtain LOVE clad as an image-maker_. - - - -LOVE - -How mighty and how fierce a king is here -The stayer of falling folks, the bane of fear! -Fair life he liveth, ruling passing well, -Disdaining praise of Heaven and hate of Hell; -And yet how goodly to us Great in Heaven -Are such as he, the waning world that leaven! -How well it were that such should never die! -How well it were at least that memory -Of such should live, as live their glorious deeds! ---But which of all the Gods think ye it needs -To shape the mist of Rumour's wavering breath -Into a golden dream that fears no death? -Red Mars belike?--since through his field is thrust -The polished plough-share o'er the helmets' rust!-- -Apollo's beauty?--surely eld shall spare -Smooth skin, and flashing eyes, and crispy hair!-- -Nay, Jove himself?--the pride that holds the low -Apart, despised, to mighty tales must grow!-- -Or Pallas?--for the world that knoweth nought, -By that great wisdom to the wicket brought, -Clear through the tangle evermore shall see! ---O Faithful, O Beloved, turn to ME! -I am the Ancient of the Days that were -I am the Newborn that To-day brings here, -I am the Life of all that dieth not; -Through me alone is sorrow unforgot. - -My Faithful, knowing that this man should live, -I from the cradle gifts to him did give -Unmeet belike for rulers of the earth; -As sorrowful yearning in the midst of mirth, -Pity midst anger, hope midst scorn and hate. -Languor midst labour, lest the day wax late, -And all be wrong, and all be to begin. -Through these indeed the eager life did win -That was the very body to my soul; -Yet, as the tide of battle back did roll -Before his patience: as he toiled and grieved -O'er fools and folly, was he not deceived, -But ever knew the change was drawing nigh, -And in my mirror gazed with steadfast eye. -Still, O my Faithful, seemed his life so fair -That all Olympus might have left him there -Until to bitter strength that life was grown, -And then have smiled to see him die alone, -Had I not been.----Ye know me; I have sent -A pain to pierce his last coat of content: -Now must he tear the armour from his breast -And cast aside all things that men deem best, -And single-hearted for his longing strive -That he at last may save his soul alive. - -How say ye then, Beloved? Ye have known -The blossom of the seed these hands have sown; -Shall this man starve in sorrow's thorny brake? -Shall Love the faithful of his heart forsake? - - - -_In the King's Garden. -KING PHARAMOND, MASTER OLIVER_. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -In this quiet place canst thou speak, O my King, -Where nought but the lilies may hearken our counsel? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -What wouldst thou have of me? why came we hither? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Dear lord, thou wouldst speak of the woe that weighs on thee. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Wouldst thou bear me aback to the strife and the battle? -Nay, hang up my banner: 'tis all passed and over! - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Speak but a little, lord! have I not loved thee? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea,--thou art Oliver: I saw thee a-lying -A long time ago with the blood on thy face, -When my father wept o'er thee for thy faith and thy valour. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Years have passed over, but my faith hath not failed me; -Spent is my might, but my love not departed. -Shall not love help--yea, look long in my eyes! -There is no more to see if thou sawest my heart. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, thou art Oliver, full of all kindness! -Have patience, for now is the cloud passing over-- -Have patience and hearken--yet shalt thou be shamed. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Thou shalt shine through thy shame as the sun through the haze -When the world waiteth gladly the warm day a-coming: -As great as thou seem'st now, I know thee for greater -Than thy deeds done and told of: one day I shall know thee: -Lying dead in my tomb I shall hear the world praising. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Stay thy praise--let me speak, lest all speech depart from me. ---There is a place in the world, a great valley -That seems a green plain from the brow of the mountains, -But hath knolls and fair dales when adown there thou goest: -There are homesteads therein with gardens about them, -And fair herds of kine and grey sheep a-feeding, -And willow-hung streams wend through deep grassy meadows, -And a highway winds through them from the outer world coming: -Girthed about is the vale by a grey wall of mountains, -Rent apart in three places and tumbled together -In old times of the world when the earth-fires flowed forth: -And as you wend up these away from the valley -You think of the sea and the great world it washes; -But through two you may pass not, the shattered rocks shut them. -And up through the third there windeth a highway, -And its gorge is fulfilled by a black wood of yew-trees. -And I know that beyond, though mine eyes have not seen it, -A city of merchants beside the sea lieth.---- -I adjure thee, my fosterer, by the hand of my father, -By thy faith without stain, by the days unforgotten, -When I dwelt in thy house ere the troubles' beginning, -By thy fair wife long dead and thy sword-smitten children, -By thy life without blame and thy love without blemish, -Tell me how, tell me when, that fair land I may come to! -Hide it not for my help, for my honour, but tell me, -Lest my time and thy time be lost days and confusion! - - -MASTER OLIVER - -O many such lands!--O my master, what ails thee? -Tell me again, for I may not remember. ---I prayed God give thee speech, and lo God hath given it-- -May God give me death! if I dream not this evil. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Said I not when thou knew'st it, all courage should fail thee? -But me--my heart fails not, I am Pharamond as ever. -I shall seek and shall find--come help me, my fosterer! ---Yet if thou shouldst ask for a sign from that country -What have I to show thee--I plucked a blue milk-wort -From amidst of the field where she wandered fair-footed-- -It was gone when I wakened--and once in my wallet -I set some grey stones from the way through the forest-- -These were gone when I wakened--and once as I wandered -A lock of white wool from a thorn-bush I gathered; -It was gone when I wakened--the name of that country-- -Nay, how should I know it?--but ever meseemeth -'Twas not in the southlands, for sharp in the sunset -And sunrise the air is, and whiles I have seen it -Amid white drift of snow--ah, look up, foster-father! - - -MASTER OLIVER - -O woe, woe is me that I may not awaken! -Or else, art thou verily Pharamond my fosterling, -The Freed and the Freer, the Wise, the World's Wonder? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Why fainteth thy great heart? nay, Oliver, hearken, -E'en such as I am now these five years I have been. -Through five years of striving this dreamer and dotard -Has reaped glory from ruin, drawn peace from destruction. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Woe's me! wit hath failed me, and all the wise counsel -I was treasuring up down the wind is a-drifting-- -Yet what wouldst thou have there if ever thou find it? -Are the gates of heaven there? is Death bound there and helpless? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Nay, thou askest me this not as one without knowledge, -For thou know'st that my love in that land is abiding. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea--woe worth the while--and all wisdom hath failed me: -Yet if thou wouldst tell me of her, I will hearken -Without mocking or mourning, if that may avail thee. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Lo, thy face is grown kind--Thou rememberest the even -When I first wore the crown after sore strife and mourning? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Who shall ever forget it? the dead face of thy father, -And thou in thy fight-battered armour above it, -Mid the passion of tears long held back by the battle; -And thy rent banner o'er thee and the ring of men mail-clad, -Victorious to-day, since their ruin but a spear-length -Was thrust away from them.--Son, think of thy glory -And e'en in such wise break the throng of these devils! - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Five years are passed over since in the fresh dawning -On the field of that fight I lay wearied and sleepless -Till slumber came o'er me in the first of the sunrise; -Then as there lay my body rapt away was my spirit, -And a cold and thick mist for a while was about me, -And when that cleared away, lo, the mountain-walled country -'Neath the first of the sunrise in e'en such a spring-tide -As the spring-tide our horse-hoofs that yestereve trampled: -By the withy-wrought gate of a garden I found me -'Neath the goodly green boughs of the apple full-blossomed; -And fulfilled of great pleasure I was as I entered -The fair place of flowers, and wherefore I knew not. -Then lo, mid the birds' song a woman's voice singing. -Five years passed away, in the first of the sunrise. - [_He is silent, brooding_. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -God help us if God is!--for this man, I deemed him -More a glory of God made man for our helping -Than a man that should die: all the deeds he did surely, -Too great for a man's life, have undone the doer. - - -KING PHARAMOND (_rousing himself_) - -Thou art waiting, my fosterer, till I tell of her singing -And the words that she sang there: time was when I knew them; -But too much of strife is about us this morning, -And whiles I forget and whiles I remember. - [_Falls a-musing again._ - - -MASTER OLIVER - -_But a night's dream undid him, and he died, and his kingdom -By unheard-of deeds fashioned, was tumbled together, -By false men and fools to be fought for and ruined._ -Such words shall my ghost see the chronicler writing -In the days that shall be:--ah--what wouldst thou, my fosterling? -Knowest thou not how words fail us awaking -That we seemed to hear plain amid sleep and its sweetness? -Nay, strive not, my son, rest awhile and be silent; -Or sleep while I watch thee: full fair is the garden, -Perchance mid the flowers thy sweet dream may find thee, -And thou shalt have pleasure and peace for a little.-- -(_Aside_) And my soul shall depart ere thou wak'st peradventure. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, thou deemest me mad: a dream thou mayst call it, -But not such a dream as thou know'st of: nay, hearken! -For what manner of dream then is this that remembers -The words that she sang on that morning of glory;-- -_O love, set a word in my mouth for our meeting; -Cast thy sweet arms about me to stay my hearts beating!_ -Ah, thy silence, thy silence! nought shines on the darkness! ---O close-serried throng of the days that I see not! - [_Falls a-musing again._ - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Thus the worse that shall be, the bad that is, bettereth. ---Once more he is speechless mid evil dreams sunken. - - -KING PHARAMOND (_speaking very low_). - -_Hold silence, love, speak not of the sweet day departed; -Cling close to me, love, lest I waken sad-hearted!_ - [_Louder to OLIVER._ -Thou starest, my fosterer: what strange thing beholdst thou? -A great king, a strong man, that thou knewest a child once: -Pharamond the fair babe: Pharamond the warrior; -Pharamond the king, and which hast thou feared yet? -And why wilt thou fear then this Pharamond the lover? -Shall I fail of my love who failed not of my fame? -Nay, nay, I shall live for the last gain and greatest. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -I know not--all counsel and wit is departed, -I wait for thy will; I will do it, my master. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Through the boughs of the garden I followed the singing -To a smooth space of sward: there the unknown desire -Of my soul I beheld,--wrought in shape of a woman. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -O ye warders of Troy-walls, join hands through the darkness, -Tell us tales of the Downfall, for we too are with you! - - -KING PHARAMOND - -As my twin sister, young of years was she and slender, -Yellow blossoms of spring-tide her hands had been gathering, -But the gown-lap that held them had fallen adown -And had lain round her feet with the first of the singing; -Now her singing had ceased, though yet heaved her bosom -As with lips lightly parted and eyes of one seeking -She stood face to face with the Love that she knew not, -The love that she longed for and waited unwitting; -She moved not, I breathed not--till lo, a horn winded, -And she started, and o'er her came trouble and wonder, -Came pallor and trembling; came a strain at my heartstrings -As bodiless there I stretched hands toward her beauty, -And voiceless cried out, as the cold mist swept o'er me. -Then again clash of arms, and the morning watch calling, -And the long leaves and great twisted trunks of the chesnuts, -As I sprang to my feet and turned round to the trumpets -And gathering of spears and unfolding of banners -That first morn of my reign and my glory's beginning. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -O well were we that tide though the world was against us. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Hearken yet!--through that whirlwind of danger and battle, -Beaten back, struggling forward, we fought without blemish -On my banner spear-rent in the days of my father, -On my love of the land and the longing I cherished -For a tale to be told when I, laid in the minster, -Might hear it no more; was it easy of winning, -Our bread of those days? Yet as wild as the work was, -Unforgotten and sweet in my heart was that vision, -And her eyes and her lips and her fair body's fashion -Blest all times of rest, rent the battle asunder, -Turned ruin to laughter and death unto dreaming; -And again and thrice over again did I go there -Ere spring was grown winter: in the meadows I met her, -By the sheaves of the corn, by the down-falling apples, -Kind and calm, yea and glad, yet with eyes of one seeking. ---Ah the mouth of one waiting, ere all shall be over!-- -But at last in the winter-tide mid the dark forest -Side by side did we wend down the pass: the wind tangled -Mid the trunks and black boughs made wild music about us, -But her feet on the scant snow and the sound of her breathing -Made music much better: the wood thinned, and I saw her, -As we came to the brow of the pass; for the moon gleamed -Bitter cold in the cloudless black sky of the winter. -Then the world drew me back from my love, and departing -I saw her sweet serious look pass into terror -And her arms cast abroad--and lo, clashing of armour, -And a sword in my hand, and my mouth crying loud, -And the moon and cold steel in the doorway burst open -And thy doughty spear thrust through the throat of the foeman -My dazed eyes scarce saw--thou rememberest, my fosterer? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, Theobald the Constable had watched but unduly; -We were taken unwares, and wild fleeing there was -O'er black rock and white snow--shall such times come again, son? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, full surely they shall; have thou courage, my fosterer!-- -Day came thronging on day, month thrust month aside, -Amid battle and strife and the murder of glory, -And still oft and oft to that land was I led -And still through all longing I young in Love's dealings, -Never called it a pain: though, the battle passed over, -The council determined, back again came my craving: -I knew not the pain, but I knew all the pleasure, -When now, as the clouds o'er my fortune were parting, -I felt myself waxing in might and in wisdom; -And no city welcomed the Freed and the Freer, -And no mighty army fell back before rumour -Of Pharamond's coming, but her heart bid me thither, -And the blithest and kindest of kingfolk ye knew me. -Then came the high tide of deliverance upon us, -When surely if we in the red field had fallen -The stocks and the stones would have risen to avenge us. ---Then waned my sweet vision midst glory's fulfilment, -And still with its waning, hot waxed my desire: -And did ye not note then that the glad-hearted Pharamond -Was grown a stern man, a fierce king, it may be? -Did ye deem it the growth of my manhood, the hardening -Of battle and murder and treason about me? -Nay, nay, it was love's pain, first named and first noted -When a long time went past, and I might not behold her. ---Thou rememberest a year agone now, when the legate -Of the Lord of the Waters brought here a broad letter -Full of prayers for good peace and our friendship thenceforward-- ---He who erst set a price on the lost head of Pharamond-- -How I bade him stand up on his feet and be merry, -Eat his meat by my side and drink out of my beaker, -In memory of days when my meat was but little -And my drink drunk in haste between saddle and straw. -But lo! midst of my triumph, as I noted the feigning -Of the last foeman humbled, and the hall fell a murmuring, -And blithely the horns blew, _Be glad, spring prevaileth,_ ---As I sat there and changed not, my soul saw a vision: -All folk faded away, and my love that I long for -Came with raiment a-rustling along the hall pavement, -Drawing near to the high-seat, with hands held out a little, -Till her hallowed eyes drew me a space into heaven, -And her lips moved to whisper, 'Come, love, for I weary!' -Then she turned and went from me, and I heard her feet falling -On the floor of the hall, e'en as though it were empty -Of all folk but us twain in the hush of the dawning. -Then again, all was gone, and I sat there a smiling -On the faint-smiling legate, as the hall windows quivered -With the rain of the early night sweeping across them. -Nought slept I that night, yet I saw her without sleeping:-- -Betwixt midnight and morn of that summer-tide was I -Amidst of the lilies by her house-door to hearken -If perchance in her chamber she turned amid sleeping: -When lo, as the East 'gan to change, and stars faded -Were her feet on the stairs, and the door opened softly, -And she stood on the threshold with the eyes of one seeking, -And there, gathering the folds of her gown to her girdle, -Went forth through the garden and followed the highway, -All along the green valley, and I ever beside her, -Till the light of the low sun just risen was falling -On her feet in the first of the pass--and all faded. -Yet from her unto me had gone forth her intent, -And I saw her face set to the heart of that city, -And the quays where the ships of the outlanders come to, -And I said: She is seeking, and shall I not seek? -The sea is her prison wall; where is my prison? ---Yet I said: Here men praise me, perchance men may love me -If I live long enough for my justice and mercy -To make them just and merciful--one who is master -Of many poor folk, a man pity moveth -Love hath dealt with in this wise, no minstrel nor dreamer. -The deeds that my hand might find for the doing -Did desire undo them these four years of fight? -And now time and fair peace in my heart have begotten -More desire and more pain, is the day of deeds done with? -Lo here for my part my bonds and my prison!-- -Then with hands holding praise, yet with fierce heart belike -Did I turn to the people that I had delivered-- -And the deeds of this year passed shall live peradventure! -But now came no solace of dreams in the night-tide -From that day thenceforward; yet oft in the council, -Mid the hearkening folk craving for justice or mercy, -Mid the righting of wrongs and the staying of ruin, -Mid the ruling a dull folk, who deemed all my kingship -A thing due and easy as the dawning and sunset -To the day that God made once to deal with no further-- ---Mid all these a fair face, a sad face, could I fashion, -And I said, She is seeking, and shall I not seek? ---Tell over the days of the year of hope's waning; -Tell over the hours of the weary days wearing: -Tell over the minutes of the hours of thy waking, -Then wonder he liveth who fails of his longing! - - -MASTER OLIVER - -What wouldst thou have, son, wherein I might help thee? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Hearken yet:--for a long time no more I beheld her -Till a month agone now at the ending of Maytide; -And then in the first of the morning I found me -Fulfilled of all joy at the edge of the yew-wood; -Then lo, her gown's flutter in the fresh breeze of morning, -And slower and statelier than her wont was aforetime -And fairer of form toward the yew-wood she wended. -But woe's me! as she came and at last was beside me -With sobbing scarce ended her bosom was heaving, -Stained with tears was her face, and her mouth was yet quivering -With torment of weeping held back for a season. -Then swiftly my spirit to the King's bed was wafted -While still toward the sea were her weary feet wending. ---Ah surely that day of all wrongs that I hearkened -Mine own wrongs seemed heaviest and hardest to bear-- -Mine own wrongs and hers--till that past year of ruling -Seemed a crime and a folly. Night came, and I saw her -Stealing barefoot, bareheaded amidst of the tulips -Made grey by the moonlight: and a long time Love gave me -To gaze on her weeping--morn came, and I wakened-- -I wakened and said: Through the World will I wander, -Till either I find her, or find the World empty. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, son, wilt thou go? Ah thou knowest from of old time -My words might not stay thee from aught thou wert willing; -And e'en so it must be now. And yet hast thou asked me -To go with thee, son, if aught I might help thee?-- -Ah me, if thy face might gladden a little -I should meet the world better and mock at its mocking: -If thou goest to find her, why then hath there fallen -This heaviness on thee? is thy heart waxen feeble? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -O friend, I have seen her no more, and her mourning -Is alone and unhelped--yet to-night or to-morrow -Somewhat nigher will I be to her love and her longing. -Lo, to thee, friend, alone of all folk on the earth -These things have I told: for a true man I deem thee -Beyond all men call true; yea, a wise man moreover -And hardy and helpful; and I know thy heart surely -That thou holdest the world nought without me thy fosterling. -Come, leave all awhile! it may be as time weareth -With new life in our hands we shall wend us back hither. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea; triumph turns trouble, and all the world changeth, -Yet a good world it is since we twain are together. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Lo, have I not said it?--thou art kinder than all men. -Cast about then, I pray thee, to find us a keel -Sailing who recketh whither, since the world is so wide. -Sure the northlands shall know of the blessings she bringeth, -And the southlands be singing of the tales that foretold her. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Well I wot of all chapmen--and to-night weighs a dromond -Sailing west away first, and then to the southlands. -Since in such things I deal oft they know me, but know not -King Pharamond the Freed, since now first they sail hither. -So make me thy messenger in a fair-writ broad letter -And thyself make my scrivener, and this very night sail we.-- -O surely thy face now is brightening and blesseth me! -Peer through these boughs toward the bay and the haven, -And high masts thou shalt see, and white sails hanging ready. - - [_Exit OLIVER._ - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Dost thou weep now, my darling, and are thy feet wandering -On the ways ever empty of what thou desirest? -Nay, nay, for thou know'st me, and many a night-tide -Hath Love led thee forth to a city unknown: -Thou hast paced through this palace from chamber to chamber -Till in dawn and stars' paling I have passed forth before thee: -Thou hast seen thine own dwelling nor known how to name it: -Thine own dwelling that shall be when love is victorious. -Thou hast seen my sword glimmer amidst of the moonlight, -As we rode with hoofs muffled through waylaying murder. -Through the field of the dead hast thou fared to behold me, -Seen me waking and longing by the watch-fires' flicker; -Thou hast followed my banner amidst of the battle -And seen my face change to the man that they fear, -Yet found me not fearful nor turned from beholding: -Thou hast been at my triumphs, and heard the tale's ending -Of my wars, and my winning through days evil and weary: -For this eve hast thou waited, and wilt be peradventure -By the sea-strand to-night, for thou wottest full surely -That the word is gone forth, and the world is a-moving. ---Abide me, beloved! to-day and to-morrow -Shall be little words in the tale of our loving, -When the last morn ariseth, and thou and I meeting -From lips laid together tell tales of these marvels. - - - -THE MUSIC - - -_Love is enough: draw near and behold me - Ye who pass by the way to your rest and your laughter, - And are full of the hope of the dawn coming after; -For the strong of the world have bought me and sold me - And my house is all wasted from threshold to rafter. - --Pass by me, and hearken, and think of me not! - -Cry out and come near; for my ears may not hearken, - And my eyes are grown dim as the eyes of the dying. - Is this the grey rack o'er the sun's face a-flying? -Or is it your faces his brightness that darken? - Comes a wind from the sea, or is it your sighing? - --Pass by me, and hearken, and pity me not! - -Ye know not how void is your hope and your living: - Depart with your helping lest yet ye undo me! - Ye know not that at nightfall she draweth near to me, -There is soft speech between us and words of forgiving - Till in dead of the midnight her kisses thrill through me. - --Pass by me, and hearken, and waken me not! - -Wherewith will ye buy it, ye rich who behold me? - Draw out from your coffers your rest and your laughter, - And the fair gilded hope of the dawn coming after! -Nay this I sell not,--though ye bought me and sold me,-- - For your house stored with such things from threshold to rafter. - --Pass by me, I hearken, and think of you not!_ - - -_Enter before the curtain LOVE clad as a maker of Pictured -Cloths_. - - -LOVE - -That double life my faithful king has led -My hand has untwined, and old days are dead -As in the moon the sails run up the mast. -Yea, let this present mingle with the past, -And when ye see him next think a long tide -Of days are gone by; for the world is wide, -And if at last these hands, these lips shall meet, -What matter thorny ways and weary feet? - -A faithful king, and now grown wise in love: -Yet from of old in many ways I move -The hearts that shall be mine: him by the hand -Have I led forth, and shown his eyes the land -Where dwells his love, and shown him what she is: -He has beheld the lips that he shall kiss, -The eyes his eyes shall soften, and the cheek -His voice shall change, the limbs he maketh weak: ---All this he hath as in a picture wrought-- -But lo you, 'tis the seeker and the sought: -For her no marvels of the night I make, -Nor keep my dream-smiths' drowsy heads awake; -Only about her have I shed a glory -Whereby she waiteth trembling for a story -That she shall play in,--and 'tis not begun: -Therefore from rising sun to setting sun -There flit before her half-formed images -Of what I am, and in all things she sees -Something of mine: so single is her heart -Filled with the worship of one set apart -To be my priestess through all joy and sorrow; -So sad and sweet she waits the certain morrow. ---And yet sometimes, although her heart be strong, -You may well think I tarry over-long: -The lonely sweetness of desire grows pain, -The reverent life of longing void and vain: -Then are my dream-smiths mindful of my lore: -They weave a web of sighs and weeping sore, -Of languor, and of very helplessness, -Of restless wandering, lonely dumb distress, -Till like a live thing there she stands and goes, -Gazing at Pharamond through all her woes. -Then forth they fly, and spread the picture out -Before his eyes, and how then may he doubt -She knows his life, his deeds, and his desire? -How shall he tremble lest her heart should tire? ---It is not so; his danger and his war, -His days of triumph, and his years of care, -She knows them not--yet shall she know some day -The love that in his lonely longing lay. - -What, Faithful--do I lie, that overshot -My dream-web is with that which happeneth not? -Nay, nay, believe it not!--love lies alone -In loving hearts like fire within the stone: -Then strikes my hand, and lo, the flax ablaze! ---Those tales of empty striving, and lost days -Folk tell of sometimes--never lit my fire -Such ruin as this; but Pride and Vain-desire, -My counterfeits and foes, have done the deed. -Beware, beloved! for they sow the weed -Where I the wheat: they meddle where I leave, -Take what I scorn, cast by what I receive, -Sunder my yoke, yoke that I would dissever, -Pull down the house my hands would build for ever. - - -_Scene: In a Forest among the Hills of a Foreign Land. - -KING PHARAMOND, MASTER OLIVER_. - - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Stretch forth thine hand, foster-father, I know thee, -And fain would be sure I am yet in the world: -Where am I now, and what things have befallen? -Why am I so weary, and yet have wrought nothing? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Thou hast been sick, lord, but thy sickness abateth. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Thou art sad unto weeping: sorry rags are thy raiment, -For I see thee a little now: where am I lying? - - -MASTER OLIVER - - -On the sere leaves thou liest, lord, deep in the wild wood - - -KING PHARAMOND - -What meaneth all this? was I not Pharamond, -A worker of great deeds after my father, -Freer of my land from murder and wrong, -Fain of folks' love, and no blencher in battle? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, thou wert king and the kindest under heaven. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Was there not coming a Queen long desired, -From a land over sea, my life to fulfil? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Belike it was so--but thou leftst it untold of. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Why weepest thou more yet? O me, which are dreams, -Which are deeds of my life mid the things I remember? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Dost thou remember the great council chamber, -O my king, and the lords there gathered together -With drawn anxious faces one fair morning of summer, -And myself in their midst, who would move thee to speech? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -A brawl I remember, some wordy debating, -Whether my love should be brought to behold me. -Sick was I at heart, little patience I had. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Hast thou memory yet left thee, how an hour thereafter -We twain lay together in the midst of the pleasance -'Neath the lime-trees, nigh the pear-tree, beholding the conduit? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Fair things I remember of a long time thereafter-- -Of thy love and thy faith and our gladness together - - -MASTER OLIVER - -And the thing that we talked of, wilt thou tell me about it? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -We twain were to wend through the wide world together -Seeking my love--O my heart! is she living? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -God wot that she liveth as she hath lived ever. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Then soon was it midnight, and moonset, as we wended -Down to the ship, and the merchant-folks' babble. -The oily green waves in the harbour mouth glistened, -Windless midnight it was, but the great sweeps were run out, -As the cable came rattling mid rich bales on the deck, -And slow moved the black side that the ripple was lapping, -And I looked and beheld a great city behind us -By the last of the moon as the stars were a-brightening, -And Pharamond the Freed grew a tale of a singer, -With the land of his fathers and the fame he had toiled for. -Yet sweet was the scent of the sea-breeze arising; -And I felt a chain broken, a sickness put from me -As the sails drew, and merchant-folk, gathered together -On the poop or the prow, 'gan to move and begone, -Till at last 'neath the far-gazing eyes of the steersman -By the loitering watch thou and I were left lonely, -And we saw by the moon the white horses arising -Where beyond the last headland the ocean abode us, -Then came the fresh breeze and the sweep of the spray, -And the beating of ropes, and the empty sails' thunder, -As we shifted our course toward the west in the dawning; -Then I slept and I dreamed in the dark I was lying, -And I heard her sweet breath and her feet falling near me, -And the rustle of her raiment as she sought through the darkness, -Sought, I knew not for what, till her arms clung about me -With a cry that was hers, that was mine as I wakened. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, a sweet dream it was, as thy dreams were aforetime. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Nay not so, my fosterer: thy hope yet shall fail thee -If thou lookest to see me turned back from my folly, -Lamenting and mocking the life of my longing. -Many such have I had, dear dreams and deceitful, -When the soul slept a little from all but its search, -And lied to the body of bliss beyond telling; -Yea, waking had lied still but for life and its torment. -Not so were those dreams of the days of my kingship, -Slept my body--or died--but my soul was not sleeping, -It knew that she touched not this body that trembled -At the thought of her body sore trembling to see me; -It lied of no bliss as desire swept it onward, -Who knows through what sundering space of its prison; -It saw, and it heard, and it hoped, and was lonely, -Had no doubt and no joy, but the hope that endureth. ---Woe's me I am weary: wend we forward to-morrow? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, well it may be if thou wilt but be patient, -And rest thee a little, while time creepeth onward. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -But tell me, has the fourth year gone far mid my sickness? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Nay, for seven days only didst thou lie here a-dying, -As full often I deemed: God be thanked it is over! -But rest thee a little, lord; gather strength for the striving. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, for once again sleep meseems cometh to struggle -With the memory of times past: come tell thou, my fosterer, -Of the days we have fared through, that dimly before me -Are floating, as I look on thy face and its trouble. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Rememberest thou aught of the lands where we wended? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, many a thing--as the moonlit warm evening -When we stayed by the trees in the Gold-bearing Land, -Nigh the gate of the city, where a minstrel was singing -That tale of the King and his fate, o'er the cradle -Foretold by the wise of the world; that a woman -Should win him to love and to woe, and despairing -In the last of his youth, the first days of his manhood. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -I remember the evening; but clean gone is the story: -Amid deeds great and dreadful, should songs abide by me? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -They shut the young king in a castle, the tale saith, -Where never came woman, and never should come, -And sadly he grew up and stored with all wisdom, -Not wishing for aught in his heart that he had not, -Till the time was come round to his twentieth birthday. -Then many fair gifts brought his people unto him, -Gold and gems, and rich cloths, and rare things and dear-bought, -And a book fairly written brought a wise man among them, -Called the Praising of Prudence; wherein there was painted -The image of Prudence:--and that, what but a woman, -E'en she forsooth that the painter found fairest;-- -Now surely thou mindest what needs must come after? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, somewhat indeed I remember the misery -Told in that tale, but all mingled it is -With the manifold trouble that met us full often, -E'en we ourselves. Of nought else hast thou memory? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Of many such tales that the Southland folk told us, -Of many a dream by the sunlight and moonlight; -Of music that moved me, of hopes that my heart had; -The high days when my love and I held feast together. ---But what land is this, and how came we hither? - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Nay, hast thou no memory of our troubles that were many? -How thou criedst out for Death and how near Death came to thee? -How thou needs must dread war, thou the dreadful in battle? -Of the pest in the place where that tale was told to us; -And how we fled thence o'er the desert of horror? -How weary we wandered when we came to the mountains, -All dead but one man of those who went with us? -How we came to the sea of the west, and the city, -Whose Queen would have kept thee her slave and her lover, -And how we escaped by the fair woman's kindness, -Who loved thee, and cast her life by for thy welfare? -Of the waste of thy life when we sailed from the Southlands, -And the sea-thieves fell on us and sold us for servants -To that land of hard gems, where thy life's purchase seemed -Little better than mine, and we found to our sorrow -Whence came the crown's glitter, thy sign once of glory: -Then naked a king toiled in sharp rocky crannies, -And thy world's fear was grown but the task-master's whip, -And thy world's hope the dream in the short dead of night? -And hast thou forgotten how again we fled from it, -And that fight of despair in the boat on the river, -And the sea-strand again and white bellying sails; -And the sore drought and famine that on ship-board fell on us, -Ere the sea was o'erpast, and we came scarcely living -To those keepers of sheep, the poor folk and the kind? -Dost thou mind not the merchants who brought us thence northward, -And this land that we made in the twilight of dawning? -And the city herein where all kindness forsook us, -And our bitter bread sought we from house-door to house-door. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -As the shadow of clouds o'er the summer sea sailing -Is the memory of all now, and whiles I remember -And whiles I forget; and nought it availeth -Remembering, forgetting; for a sleep is upon me -That shall last a long while:--there thou liest, my fosterer, -As thou lay'st a while since ere that twilight of dawning; -And I woke and looked forth, and the dark sea, long changeless, -Was now at last barred by a dim wall that swallowed -The red shapeless moon, and the whole sea was rolling, -Unresting, unvaried, as grey as the void is, -Toward that wall 'gainst the heavens as though rest were behind it. -Still onward we fared and the moon was forgotten, -And colder the sea grew and colder the heavens, -And blacker the wall grew, and grey, green-besprinkled, -And the sky seemed to breach it; and lo at the last -Many islands of mountains, and a city amongst them. -White clouds of the dawn, not moving yet waning, -Wreathed the high peaks about; and the sea beat for ever -'Gainst the green sloping hills and the black rocks and beachless. ---Is this the same land that I saw in that dawning? -For sure if it is thou at least shalt hear tidings, -Though I die ere the dark: but for thee, O my fosterer, -Lying there by my side, I had deemed the old vision -Had drawn forth the soul from my body to see her. -And with joy and fear blended leapt the heart in my bosom, -And I cried, "The last land, love; O hast thou abided?" -But since then hath been turmoil, and sickness, and slumber, -And my soul hath been troubled with dreams that I knew not. -And such tangle is round me life fails me to rend it, -And the cold cloud of death rolleth onward to hide me.-- ---O well am I hidden, who might not be happy! -I see not, I hear not, my head groweth heavy. - [_Falls back as if sleeping_. - - -MASTER OLIVER - ---O Son, is it sleep that upon thee is fallen? -Not death, O my dear one!--speak yet but a little! - - -KING PHARAMOND (_raising himself again_) - -O be glad, foster-father! and those troubles past over,-- -Be thou thereby when once more I remember -And sit with my maiden and tell her the story, -And we pity our past selves as a poet may pity -The poor folk he tells of amid plentiful weeping. -Hush now! as faint noise of bells over water -A sweet sound floats towards me, and blesses my slumber: -If I wake never more I shall dream and shall see her. [_Sleeps._ - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Is it swooning or sleeping? in what wise shall he waken? ---Nay, no sound I hear save the forest wind wailing. -Who shall help us to-day save our yoke-fellow Death? -Yet fain would I die mid the sun and the flowers; -For a tomb seems this yew-wood ere yet we are dead. -And its wailing wind chilleth my yearning for time past, -And my love groweth cold in this dusk of the daytime. -What will be? is worse than death drawing anear us? -Flit past, dreary day! come, night-tide and resting! -Come, to-morrow's uprising with light and new tidings! ---Lo, Lord, I have borne all with no bright love before me; -Wilt thou break all I had and then give me no blessing? - - - -THE MUSIC - - -_LOVE IS ENOUGH: through the trouble and tangle - From yesterdays dawning to yesterday's night -I sought through the vales where the prisoned winds wrangle, - Till, wearied and bleeding, at end of the light - I met him, and we wrestled, and great was my might. - -O great was my joy, though no rest was around me, - Though mid wastes of the world were we twain all alone, -For methought that I conquered and he knelt and he crowned me, - And the driving rain ceased, and the wind ceased to moan, - And through clefts of the clouds her planet outshone. - -O through clefts of the clouds 'gan the world to awaken, - And the bitter wind piped, and down drifted the rain, -And I was alone--and yet not forsaken, - For the grass was untrodden except by my pain: - With a Shadow of the Night had I wrestled in vain. - -And the Shadow of the Night and not Love was departed; - I was sore, I was weary, yet Love lived to seek; -So I scaled the dark mountains, and wandered sad-hearted - Over wearier wastes, where e'en sunlight was bleak, - With no rest of the night for my soul waxen weak._ - -_With no rest of the night; for I waked mid a story - Of a land wherein Love is the light and the lord, -Where my tale shall be heard, and my wounds gain a glory, - And my tears be a treasure to add to the hoard - Of pleasure laid up for his people's reward. - -Ah, pleasure laid up! haste thou onward and listen, - For the wind of the waste has no music like this, -And not thus do the rocks of the wilderness glisten: - With the host of his faithful through sorrow and bliss - My Lord goeth forth now, and knows me for his._ - - -_Enter before the curtain LOVE, with a cup of bitter drink and his -hands bloody_. - - - -LOVE - -O Pharamond, I knew thee brave and strong, -And yet how might'st thou live to bear this wrong? ---A wandering-tide of three long bitter years, -Solaced at whiles by languor of soft tears, -By dreams self-wrought of night and sleep and sorrow, -Holpen by hope of tears to be to-morrow: -Yet all, alas, but wavering memories; -No vision of her hands, her lips, her eyes, -Has blessed him since he seemed to see her weep, -No wandering feet of hers beset his sleep. - -Woe's me then! am I cruel, or am I grown -The scourge of Fate, lest men forget to moan? -What!--is there blood upon these hands of mine? -Is venomed anguish mingled with my wine? ---Blood there may be, and venom in the cup; -But see, Beloved, how the tears well up -From my grieved heart my blinded eyes to grieve, -And in the kindness of old days believe! -So after all then we must weep to-day-- ---We, who behold at ending of the way, -These lovers tread a bower they may not miss -Whose door my servant keepeth, Earthly Bliss: -There in a little while shall they abide, -Nor each from each their wounds of wandering hide, -But kiss them, each on each, and find it sweet, -That wounded so the world they may not meet. ---Ah, truly mine! since this your tears may move, -The very sweetness of rewarded love! -Ah, truly mine, that tremble as ye hear -The speech of loving lips grown close and dear; ---Lest other sounds from other doors ye hearken, -Doors that the wings of Earthly Anguish darken. - - -_Scene: On a Highway in a Valley near the last, with a Mist over all -things._ - -_KING PHARAMOND, MASTER OLIVER_. - - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Hold a while, Oliver! my limbs are grown weaker -Than when in the wood I first rose to my feet. -There was hope in my heart then, and now nought but sickness; -There was sight in my eyes then, and now nought but blindness. -Good art thou, hope, while the life yet tormenteth, -But a better help now have I gained than thy goading. -Farewell, O life, wherein once I was merry! -O dream of the world, I depart now, and leave thee -A little tale added to thy long-drawn-out story. -Cruel wert thou, O Love, yet have thou and I conquered. ---Come nearer, O fosterer, come nearer and kiss me, -Bid farewell to thy fosterling while the life yet is in me, -For this farewell to thee is my last word meseemeth. - [_He lies down and sleeps_. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -O my king, O my son! Ah, woe's me for my kindness, -For the day when thou drew'st me and I let thee be drawn -Into toils I knew deadly, into death thou desiredst! -And woe's me that I die not! for my body made hardy -By the battles of old days to bear every anguish! ---Speak a word and forgive me, for who knows how long yet -Are the days of my life, and the hours of my loathing! -He speaks not, he moves not; yet he draweth breath softly: -I have seen men a-dying, and not thus did the end come. -Surely God who made all forgets not love's rewarding, -Forgets not the faithful, the guileless who fear not. -Oh, might there be help yet, and some new life's beginning! ---Lo, lighter the mist grows: there come sounds through its dulness, -The lowing of kine, or the whoop of a shepherd, -The bell-wether's tinkle, or clatter of horse-hoofs. -A homestead is nigh us: I will fare down the highway -And seek for some helping: folk said simple people -Abode in this valley, and these may avail us-- -If aught it avail us to live for a little. ---Yea, give it us, God!--all the fame and the glory -We fought for and gained once; the life of well-doing, -Fair deed thrusting on deed, and no day forgotten; -And due worship of folk that his great heart had holpen;-- -All I prayed for him once now no longer I pray for. -Let it all pass away as my warm breath now passeth -In the chill of the morning mist wherewith thou hidest -Fair vale and grey mountain of the land we are come to! -Let it all pass away! but some peace and some pleasure -I pray for him yet, and that I may behold it. -A prayer little and lowly,--and we in the old time -When the world lay before us, were we hard to the lowly? -Thou know'st we were kind, howso hard to be beaten; -Wilt thou help us this last time? or what hast thou hidden -We know not, we name not, some crown for our striving? ---O body and soul of my son, may God keep thee! -For, as lone as thou liest in a land that we see not -When the world loseth thee, what is left for its losing? - [_Exit_ OLIVER. - - - -THE MUSIC - - -_LOVE IS ENOUGH: cherish life that abideth, - Lest ye die ere ye know him, and curse and misname him; -For who knows in what ruin of all hope he hideth, -On what wings of the terror of darkness he rideth? - And what is the joy of man's life that ye blame him - For his bliss grown a sword, and his rest grown a fire? - -Ye who tremble for death, or the death of desire, - Pass about the cold winter-tide garden and ponder -On the rose in his glory amidst of June's fire, - On the languor of noontide that gathered the thunder, - On the morn and its freshness, the eve and its wonder; - Ye may wake it no more--shall Spring come to awaken? - -Live on, for Love liveth, and earth shall be shaken - By the wind of his wings on the triumphing morning, -When the dead, and their deeds that die not shall awaken, - And the world's tale shall sound in your trumpet of warning, - And the sun smite the banner called Scorn of the Scorning, - And dead pain ye shall trample, dead fruitless desire, - As ye wend to pluck out the new world from the fire._ - - -_Enter before the curtain, LOVE clad as a Pilgrim._ - - - -LOVE - -Alone, afar from home doth Pharamond lie, -Drawn near to death, ye deem--or what draws nigh? -Afar from home--and have ye any deeming -How far may be that country of his dreaming? -Is it not time, is it not time, say ye, -That we the day-star in the sky should see? - -Patience, Beloved; these may come to live -A life fulfilled of all I have to give, -But bare of strife and story; and ye know well -How wild a tale of him might be to tell -Had I not snatched away the sword and crown; -Yea, and she too was made for world's renown, -And should have won it, had my bow not been; -These that I love were very king and queen; -I have discrowned them, shall I not crown too? -Ye know, Beloved, what sharp bitter dew, -What parching torment of unresting day -Falls on the garden of my deathless bay: -Hands that have gathered it and feet that came -Beneath its shadow have known flint and flame; -Therefore I love them; and they love no less -Each furlong of the road of past distress. ---Ah, Faithful, tell me for what rest and peace, -What length of happy days and world's increase, -What hate of wailing, and what love of laughter, -What hope and fear of worlds to be hereafter, -Would ye cast by that crown of bitter leaves? - -And yet, ye say, our very heart it grieves -To see him lying there: how may he save -His life and love if he more pain must have? -And she--how fares it with her? is not earth -From winter's sorrow unto summer's mirth -Grown all too narrow for her yearning heart? -We pray thee, Love, keep these no more apart. - -Ye say but sooth: not long may he endure: -And her heart sickeneth past all help or cure -Unless I hasten to the helping--see, -Am I not girt for going speedily? ---The journey lies before me long?--nay, nay, -Upon my feet the dust is lying grey, -The staff is heavy in my hand.--Ye too, -Have ye not slept? or what is this ye do, -Wearying to find the country ye are in? - - [_The curtain draws up and shows the same scene - as the last, with the mist clearing, and - PHARAMOND lying there as before._ - -Look, look! how sun and morn at last do win -Upon the shifting waves of mist! behold -That mountain-wall the earth-fires rent of old, -Grey toward the valley, sun-gilt at the side! -See the black yew-wood that the pass doth hide! -Search through the mist for knoll, and fruited tree, -And winding stream, and highway white--and see, -See, at my feet lies Pharamond the Freed! -A happy journey have we gone indeed! - -Hearken, Beloved, over-long, ye deem, -I let these lovers deal with hope and dream -Alone unholpen.--Somewhat sooth ye say: -But now her feet are on this very way -That leadeth from the city: and she saith -One beckoneth her back hitherward--even Death-- -And who was that, Beloved, but even I? -Yet though her feet and sunlight are drawn nigh -The cold grass where he lieth like the dead, -To ease your hearts a little of their dread -I will abide her coming, and in speech -He knoweth, somewhat of his welfare teach. - - -_LOVE goes on to the Stage and stands at PHARAMOND's head_. - - - -LOVE - -HEARKEN, O Pharamond, why camest thou hither? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -I came seeking Death; I have found him belike. - - -LOVE - -In what land of the world art thou lying, O Pharamond? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -In a land 'twixt two worlds: nor long shall I dwell there. - - -LOVE - -Who am I, Pharamond, that stand here beside thee? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -The Death I have sought--thou art welcome; I greet thee. - - -LOVE - -Such a name have I had, but another name have I. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Art thou God then that helps not until the last season? - - -LOVE - -Yea, God am I surely: yet another name have I. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Methinks as I hearken, thy voice I should wot of. - - -LOVE - -I called thee, and thou cam'st from thy glory and kingship. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -I was King Pharamond, and love overcame me. - - -LOVE - -Pharamond, thou say'st it.--I am Love and thy master. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Sooth didst thou say when thou call'dst thyself Death. - - -LOVE - -Though thou diest, yet thy love and thy deeds shall I quicken. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Be thou God, be thou Death, yet I love thee and dread not. - - -LOVE - -Pharamond, while thou livedst what thing wert thou loving? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -A dream and a lie--and my death--and I love it. - - -LOVE - -Pharamond, do my bidding, as thy wont was aforetime. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -What wilt thou have of me, for I wend away swiftly? - - -LOVE - -Open thine eyes, and behold where thou liest! - - -KING PHARAMOND - -It is little--the old dream, the old lie is about me. - - -LOVE - -Why faintest thou, Pharamond? is love then unworthy? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Then hath God made no world now, nor shall make hereafter. - - -LOVE - -Wouldst thou live if thou mightst in this fair world, O Pharamond? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, if she and truth were; nay, if she and truth were not. - - -LOVE - -O long shalt thou live: thou art here in the body, -Where nought but thy spirit I brought in days bygone. -Ah, thou hearkenest!--and where then of old hast thou heard it? - [_Music outside, far off_. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -O mock me not, Death; or, Life, hold me no longer! -For that sweet strain I hear that I heard once a-dreaming: -Is it death coming nigher, or life come back that brings it? -Or rather my dream come again as aforetime? - - -LOVE - -Look up, O Pharamond! canst thou see aught about thee? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, surely: all things as aforetime I saw them: -The mist fading out with the first of the sunlight, -And the mountains a-changing as oft in my dreaming, -And the thornbrake anigh blossomed thick with the May-tide. - [_Music again._ -O my heart!--I am hearkening thee whereso thou wanderest! - - -LOVE - -Put forth thine hand, feel the dew on the daisies! - - -KING PHARAMOND - -So their freshness I felt in the days ere hope perished. ---O me, me, my darling! how fair the world groweth! -Ah, shall I not find thee, if death yet should linger, -Else why grow I so glad now when life seems departing? -What pleasure thus pierceth my heart unto fainting? ---O me, into words now thy melody passeth. - - -MUSIC _with singing (from without)_ - - _Dawn talks to-day - Over dew-gleaming flowers, - Night flies away - Till the resting of hours: - Fresh are thy feet - And with dreams thine eyes glistening. - Thy still lips are sweet - Though the world is a-listening. -O Love, set a word in my mouth for our meeting, -Cast thine arms round about me to stay my heart's beating! - O fresh day, O fair day, O long day made ours_! - - -LOVE - -What wilt thou say now of the gifts Love hath given? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Stay thy whispering, O wind of the morning--she speaketh. - - -THE MUSIC (_coming nearer_) - - _Morn shall meet noon - While the flower-stems yet move, - Though the wind dieth soon - And the clouds fade above. - Loved lips are thine - As I tremble and hearken; - Bright thine eyes shine, - Though the leaves thy brow darken. -O Love, kiss me into silence, lest no word avail me, -Stay my head with thy bosom lest breath and life fail me! - O sweet day, O rich day, made long for our love_! - - -LOVE - -Was Love then a liar who fashioned thy dreaming? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -O fair-blossomed tree, stay thy rustling--I hearken. - - -THE MUSIC (_coming nearer_) - - _Late day shall greet eve, - And the full blossoms shake, - For the wind will not leave - The tall trees while they wake. - Eyes soft with bliss, - Come nigher and nigher! - Sweet mouth I kiss, - Tell me all thy desire! -Let us speak, love, together some words of our story, -That our lips as they part may remember the glory! - O soft day, O calm day, made clear for our sake_! - - -LOVE - -What wouldst thou, Pharamond? why art thou fainting? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -And thou diest, fair daylight, now she draweth near me! - - -THE MUSIC (_close outside_) - - _Eve shall kiss night, - And the leaves stir like rain - As the wind stealeth light - O'er the grass of the plain. - Unseen are thine eyes - Mid the dreamy night's sleeping, - And on my mouth there lies - The dear rain of thy weeping. -Hold, silence, love, speak not of the sweet day departed, -Cling close to me, love, lest I waken sad-hearted! - O kind day, O dear day, short day, come again_! - - -LOVE - -Sleep then, O Pharamond, till her kiss shall awake thee, -For, lo, here comes the sun o'er the tops of the mountains, -And she with his light in her hair comes before him, -As solemn and fair as the dawn of the May-tide -On some isle of mid-ocean when all winds are sleeping. -O worthy is she of this hour that awaits her, -And the death of all doubt, and beginning of gladness -Her great heart shall embrace without fear or amazement. ---He sleeps, yet his heart's beating measures her footfalls; -And her heart beateth too, as her feet bear her onward: -Breathe gently between them, O breeze of the morning! -Wind round them unthought of, sweet scent of the blossoms! -Treasure up every minute of this tide of their meeting, -O flower-bedecked Earth! with such tales of my triumph -Is your life still renewed, and spring comes back for ever -From that forge of all glory that brought forth my blessing. -O welcome, Love's darling: Shall this day ever darken, -Whose dawn I have dight for thy longing triumphant? - [_Exit LOVE. Enter AZALAIS._ - - -AZALAIS - -A song in my mouth, then? my heart full of gladness? -My feet firm on the earth, as when youth was beginning? -And the rest of my early days come back to bless me?-- -Who hath brought me these gifts in the midst of the May-tide? -What!--three days agone to the city I wandered, -And watched the ships warped to the Quay of the Merchants; -And wondered why folk should be busy and anxious; -For bitter my heart was, and life seemed a-waning, -With no story told, with sweet longing turned torment, -Love turned to abasement, and rest gone for ever. -And last night I awoke with a pain piercing through me, -And a cry in my ears, and Death passed on before, -As one pointing the way, and I rose up sore trembling, -And by cloud and by night went before the sun's coming, -As one goeth to death,--and lo here the dawning! -And a dawning therewith of a dear joy I know not. -I have given back the day the glad greeting it gave me; -And the gladness it gave me, that too would I give -Were hands held out to crave it----Fair valley, I greet thee, -And the new-wakened voices of all things familiar. ---Behold, how the mist-bow lies bright on the mountain, -Bidding hope as of old since no prison endureth. -Full busy has May been these days I have missed her, -And the milkwort is blooming, and blue falls the speedwell. ---Lo, here have been footsteps in the first of the morning, -Since the moon sank all red in the mist now departed. ---Ah! what lieth there by the side of the highway? -Is it death stains the sunlight, or sorrow or sickness? - - [_Going up to PHARAMOND_. - ---Not death, for he sleepeth; but beauty sore blemished -By sorrow and sickness, and for all that the sweeter. -I will wait till he wakens and gaze on his beauty, -Lest I never again in the world should behold him. ---Maybe I may help him; he is sick and needs tending, -He is poor, and shall scorn not our simpleness surely. -Whence came he to us-ward--what like has his life been-- -Who spoke to him last--for what is he longing? ---As one hearkening a story I wonder what cometh, -And in what wise my voice to our homestead shall bid him. -O heart, how thou faintest with hope of the gladness -I may have for a little if there he abide. -Soft there shalt thou sleep, love, and sweet shall thy dreams be, -And sweet thy awaking amidst of the wonder -Where thou art, who is nigh thee--and then, when thou seest -How the rose-boughs hang in o'er the little loft window, -And the blue bowl with roses is close to thine hand, -And over thy bed is the quilt sewn with lilies, -And the loft is hung round with the green Southland hangings, -And all smelleth sweet as the low door is opened, -And thou turnest to see me there standing, and holding -Such dainties as may be, thy new hunger to stay-- -Then well may I hope that thou wilt not remember -Thine old woes for a moment in the freshness and pleasure, -And that I shall be part of thy rest for a little. -And then---who shall say--wilt thou tell me thy story, -And what thou hast loved, and for what thou hast striven? ---Thou shalt see me, and my love and my pity, as thou speakest, -And it may be thy pity shall mingle with mine. ---And meanwhile--Ah, love, what hope may my heart hold? -For I see that thou lovest, who ne'er hast beheld me. -And how should thy love change, howe'er the world changeth? -Yet meanwhile, had I dreamed of the bliss of this minute, -How might I have borne to live weary and waiting! - -Woe's me! do I fear thee? else should I not wake thee, -For tending thou needest--If my hand touched thy hand - [_Touching him._ -I should fear thee the less.--O sweet friend, forgive it, -My hand and my tears, for faintly they touched thee! -He trembleth, and waketh not: O me, my darling! -Hope whispers that thou hear'st me through sleep, and wouldst waken, -But for dread that thou dreamest and I should be gone. -Doth it please thee in dreaming that I tremble and dread thee, -That these tears are the tears of one praying vainly, -Who shall pray with no word when thou hast awakened? ---Yet how shall I deal with my life if he love not, -As how should he love me, a stranger, unheard of? ---O bear witness, thou day that hast brought my love hither! -Thou sun that burst out through the mist o'er the mountains, -In that moment mine eyes met the field of his sorrow-- -Bear witness, ye fields that have fed me and clothed me, -And air I have breathed, and earth that hast borne me-- -Though I find you but shadows, and wrought but for fading, -Though all ye and God fail me,--my love shall not fail! -Yea, even if this love, that seemeth such pleasure -As earth is unworthy of, turneth to pain; -If he wake without memory of me and my weeping, -With a name on his lips not mine--that I know not: -If thus my hand leave his hand for the last time, -And no word from his lips be kind for my comfort-- -If all speech fail between us, all sight fail me henceforth, -If all hope and God fail me--my love shall not fail. - ---Friend, I may not forbear: we have been here together: -My hand on thy hand has been laid, and thou trembledst. -Think now if this May sky should darken above us, -And the death of the world in this minute should part us-- -Think, my love, of the loss if my lips had not kissed thee. -And forgive me my hunger of no hope begotten! [_She kisses him._ - - -KING PHARAMOND (_awaking_) - -Who art thou? who art thou, that my dream I might tell thee? -How with words full of love she drew near me, and kissed me. -O thou kissest me yet, and thou clingest about me! -Ah, kiss me and wake me into death and deliverance! - - -AZALAIS (_drawing away from him_) - -Speak no rough word, I pray thee, for a little, thou loveliest! -But forgive me, for the years of my life have been lonely, -And thou art come hither with the eyes of one seeking. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Sweet dream of old days, and her very lips speaking -The words of my lips and the night season's longing. -How might I have lived had I known what I longed for! - - -AZALAIS - -I knew thou wouldst love, I knew all thy desire-- -Am I she whom thou seekest? may I draw nigh again? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Ah, lengthen no more the years of my seeking, -For thou knowest my love as thy love lies before me. - - -AZALAIS (_coming near to him again_) - -O Love, there was fear in thine eyes as thou wakenedst; -Thy first words were of dreaming and death--but we die not. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -In thine eyes was a terror as thy lips' touches faded, -Sore trembled thine arms as they fell away from me; -And thy voice was grown piteous with words of beseeching, -So that still for a little my search seemed unended. ---Ah, enending, unchanging desire fulfils me! -I cry out for thy comfort as thou clingest about me. -O joy hard to bear, but for memory of sorrow, -But for pity of past days whose bitter is sweet now! -_Let us speak, love, together some word of our story, -That our lips as they part may remember the glory._ - - -AZALAIS - -_O Love, kiss me into silence lest no word avail me; -Stay my head with thy bosom lest breath and life fail me_. - - - -THE MUSIC - -_LOVE IS ENOUGH: while ye deemed him a-sleeping, - There were signs of his coming and sounds of his feet; -His touch it was that would bring you to weeping, - When the summer was deepest and music most sweet: - In his footsteps ye followed the day to its dying, - Ye went forth by his gown-skirts the morning to meet: - In his place on the beaten-down orchard-grass lying, - Of the sweet ways ye pondered yet left for life's trying. - -Ah, what was all dreaming of pleasure anear you, - To the time when his eyes on your wistful eyes turned, -And ye saw his lips move, and his head bend to hear you, - As new-born and glad to his kindness ye yearned? - Ah, what was all dreaming of anguish and sorrow, - To the time when the world in his torment was burned, - And no god your heart from its prison might borrow, - And no rest was left, no to-day, no to-morrow? - -All wonder of pleasure, all doubt of desire, - All blindness, are ended, and no more ye feel -If your feet tread his flowers or the flames of his fire, - If your breast meet his balms or the edge of his steel. - Change is come, and past over, no more strife, no more learning: - Now your lips and your forehead are sealed with his seal, - Look backward and smile at the thorns and the burning. - --Sweet rest, O my soul, and no fear of returning!_ - -_Enter before the curtain LOVE, clad still as a Pilgrim_. - - - -LOVE - -How is it with the Fosterer then, when he -Comes back again that rest and peace to see, -And God his latest prayer has granted now?-- -Why, as the winds whereso they list shall blow, -So drifts the thought of man, and who shall say -To-morrow shall my thought be as to-day? ---My fosterling is happy, and I too; -Yet did we leave behind things good to do, -Deeds good to tell about when we are dead. -Here is no pain, but rest, and easy bread; -Yet therewith something hard to understand -Dulls the crowned work to which I set my hand. -Ah, patience yet! his longing is well won, -And I shall die at last and all be done.-- -Such words unspoken the best man on earth -Still bears about betwixt the lover's mirth; -And now he hath what he went forth to find, -This Pharamond is neither dull nor blind, -And looking upon Oliver, he saith:-- -My friend recked nothing of his life or death, -Knew not my anguish then, nor now my pleasure, -And by my crowned joy sets his lessened treasure. -Is risk of twenty days of wind and sea, -Of new-born feeble headless enmity, -I should have scorned once, too great gift to give -To this most faithful man that he may live? - ---Yea, was that all? my faithful, you and I, -Still craving, scorn the world too utterly, -The world we want not--yet, our one desire -Fulfilled at last, what next shall feed the fire? ---I say not this to make my altar cold; -Rather that ye, my happy ones, should hold -Enough of memory and enough of fear -Within your hearts to keep its flame full clear; -Rather that ye, still dearer to my heart, -Whom words call hapless, yet should praise your part, -Wherein the morning and the evening sun -Are bright about a story never done; -That those for chastening, these for joy should cling -About the marvels that my minstrels sing. - -Well, Pharamond fulfilled of love must turn -Unto the folk that still he deemed would yearn -To see his face, and hear his voice once more; -And he was mindful of the days passed o'er, -And fain had linked them to these days of love; -And he perchance was fain the world to move -While love looked on; and he perchance was fain -Some pleasure of the strife of old to gain. -Easy withal it seemed to him to land, -And by his empty throne awhile to stand -Amid the wonder, and then sit him down -While folk went forth to seek the hidden crown. - -Or else his name upon the same wind borne -As smote the world with winding of his horn, -His hood pulled back, his banner flung abroad, -A gleam of sunshine on his half-drawn sword. ---Well, he and you and I have little skill -To know the secret of Fate's worldly will; -Yet can I guess, and you belike may guess, -Yea, and e'en he mid all his lordliness, -That much may be forgot in three years' space -Outside my kingdom.--Gone his godlike face, -His calm voice, and his kindness, half akin -Amid a blind folk to rebuke of sin, -Men 'gin to think that he was great and good, -But hindered them from doing as they would, -And ere they have much time to think on it -Between their teeth another has the bit, -And forth they run with Force and Fate behind. ---Indeed his sword might somewhat heal the blind, -Were I not, and the softness I have given; -With me for him have hope and glory striven -In other days when my tale was beginning; -But sweet life lay beyond then for the winning, -And now what sweetness?--blood of men to spill -Who once believed him God to heal their ill: -To break the gate and storm adown the street -Where once his coming flower-crowned girls did greet: -To deem the cry come from amidst his folk -When his own country tongue should curse his stroke-- -Nay, he shall leave to better men or worse -His people's conquered homage and their curse. - -So forth they go, his Oliver and he, -One thing at least to learn across the sea, -That whatso needless shadows life may borrow -Love is enough amidst of joy or sorrow. - -Love is enough--My Faithful, in your eyes -I see the thought, Our Lord is overwise -Some minutes past in what concerns him not, -And us no more: is all his tale forgot? ---Ah, Well-beloved, I fell asleep e'en now, -And in my sleep some enemy did show -Sad ghosts of bitter things, and names unknown -For things I know--a maze with shame bestrown -And ruin and death; till e'en myself did seem -A wandering curse amidst a hopeless dream. ---Yet see! I live, no older than of old, -What tales soe'er of changing Time has told. -And ye who cling to all my hand shall give, -Sorrow or joy, no less than I shall live. - - -_Scene: Before KING PHARAMOND'S Palace._ - - - -KING PHARAMOND - -A long time it seems since this morn when I met them, -The men of my household and the great man they honour: -Better counsel in king-choosing might I have given -Had ye bided my coming back hither, my people: -And yet who shall say or foretell what Fate meaneth? -For that man there, the stranger, Honorius men called him, -I account him the soul to King Theobald's body, -And the twain are one king; and a goodly king may be -For this people, who grasping at peace and good days, -Careth little who giveth them that which they long for. -Yet what gifts have I given them; I who this even -Turn away with grim face from the fight that should try me? -It is just then, I have lost: lie down, thou supplanter, -In thy tomb in the minster when thy life is well over, -And the well-carven image of latten laid o'er thee -Shall live on as thou livedst, and be worthy the praising -Whereby folk shall remember the days of thy plenty. -Praising Theobald the Good and the peace that he brought them, -But I--I shall live too, though no graven image -On the grass of the hillside shall brave the storms' beating; -Though through days of thy plenty the people remember -As a dim time of war the past days of King Pharamond; -Yet belike as time weareth, and folk turn back a little -To the darkness where dreams lie and live on for ever, -Even there shall be Pharamond who failed not in battle, -But feared to overcome his folk who forgot him, -And turned back and left them a tale for the telling, -A song for the singing, that yet in some battle -May grow to remembrance and rend through the ruin -As my sword rent it through in the days gone for ever. -So, like Enoch of old, I was not, for God took me. ---But lo, here is Oliver, all draws to an ending-- - [_Enter OLIVER._ -Well met, my Oliver! the clocks strike the due minute, -What news hast thou got?--thou art moody of visage. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -In one word, 'tis battle; the days we begun with -Must begin once again with the world waxen baser. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Ah! battle it may be: but surely no river -Runneth back to its springing: so the world has grown wiser -And Theobald the Constable is king in our stead, -And contenteth the folk who cried, "Save us, King Pharamond!" - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Hast thou heard of his councillor men call Honorius? -Folk hold him in fear, and in love the tale hath it. - - -KING PHARAMOND. - -Much of him have I heard: nay, more, I have seen him -With the men of my household, and the great man they honour. -They were faring afield to some hunt or disporting, -Few faces were missing, and many I saw there -I was fain of in days past at fray or at feasting; -My heart yearned towards them--but what--days have changed them, -They must wend as they must down the way they are driven. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yet e'en in these days there remaineth a remnant -That is faithful and fears not the flap of thy banner. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -And a fair crown is faith, as thou knowest, my father; -Fails the world, yet that faileth not; love hath begot it, -Sweet life and contentment at last springeth from it; -No helping these need whose hearts still are with me, -Nay, rather they handle the gold rod of my kingdom. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yet if thou leadest forth once more as aforetime -In faith of great deeds will I follow thee, Pharamond, -And thy latter end yet shall be counted more glorious -Than thy glorious beginning; and great shall my gain be -If e'en I must die ere the day of thy triumph. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Dear is thy heart mid the best and the brightest, -Yet not against these my famed blade will I bare. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Nay, what hast thou heard of their babble and baseness? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Full enough, friend--content thee, my lips shall not speak it, -The same hour wherein they have said that I love thee. -Suffice it, folk need me no more: the deliverance, -Dear bought in the days past, their hearts have forgotten, -But faintly their dim eyes a feared face remember, -Their dull ears remember a stern voice they hated. -What then, shall I waken their fear and their hatred, -And then wait till fresh terror their memory awaketh, -With the semblance of love that they have not to give me? -Nay, nay, they are safe from my help and my justice, -And I--I am freed, and fresh waxeth my manhood. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -It may not be otherwise since thou wilt have it, -Yet I say it again, if thou shake out thy banner, -Some brave men will be borne unto earth peradventure, -Many dastards go trembling to meet their due doom, -And then shall come fair days and glory upon me -And on all men on earth for thy fame, O King Pharamond. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Yea, I was king once; the songs sung o'er my cradle, -Were ballads of battle and deeds of my fathers: -Yea, I was King Pharamond; in no carpeted court-room -Bore they the corpse of my father before me; -But on grass trodden grey by the hoofs of the war-steeds -Did I kneel to his white lips and sword-cloven bosom, -As from clutch of dead fingers his notched sword I caught; -For a furlong before us the spear-wood was glistening. -I was king of this city when here where we stand now -Amidst a grim silence I mustered all men folk -Who might yet bear a weapon; and no brawl of kings was it -That brought war on the city, and silenced the markets -And cumbered the haven with crowd of masts sailless, -But great countries arisen for our ruin and downfall. -I was king of the land, when on all roads were riding -The legates of proud princes to pray help and give service-- -Yea, I was a great king at last as I sat there, -Peace spread far about me, and the love of all people -To my palace gates wafted by each wind of the heavens. ---And where sought I all this? with what price did I buy it? -Nay, for thou knowest that this fair fame and fortune -Came stealing soft-footed to give their gifts to me: -And shall I, who was king once, grow griping and weary -In unclosing the clenched fists of niggards who hold them, -These gifts that I had once, and, having, scarce heeded? -Nay, one thing I have sought, I have sought and have found it, -And thou, friend, hast helped me and seest me made happy. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Farewell then the last time, O land of my fathers! -Farewell, feeble hopes that I once held so mighty. -Yet no more have I need of but this word that thou sayest, -And nought have I to do but to serve thee, my master. -In what land of the world shall we dwell now henceforward? - - -KING PHARAMOND - -In the land where my love our returning abideth, -The poor land and kingless of the shepherding people, -There is peace there, and all things this land are unlike to. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Before the light waneth will I seek for a passage, -Since for thee and for me the land groweth perilous: -Yea, o'er sweet smell the flowers, too familiar the folk seem, -Fain I grow of the salt seas, since all things are over here. - - -KING PHARAMOND - -I am fain of one hour's farewell in the twilight, -To the times I lament not: times worser than these times, -To the times that I blame not, that brought on times better-- -Let us meet in our hostel--be brave mid thy kindness, -Let thy heart say, as mine saith, that fair life awaits us. - - -MASTER OLIVER - -Yea, no look in thy face is of ruin, O my master; -Thou art king yet, unchanged yet, nor is my heart changing; -The world hath no chances to conquer thy glory. - [_Exit OLIVER_ - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Full fair were the world if such faith were remembered. -If such love as thy love had its due, O my fosterer. -Forgive me that giftless from me thou departest, -With thy gifts in my hands left. I might not but take them; -Thou wilt not begrudge me, I will not forget thee.-- ---Long fall the shadows and night draws on apace now, -Day sighs as she sinketh back on to her pillow, -And her last waking breath is full sweet with the rose. ---In such wise depart thou, O daylight of life, -Loved once for the shadows that told of the dreamtide; -Loved still for the longing whereby I remember -That I was lone once in the world of thy making; -Lone wandering about on thy blind way's confusion, -The maze of thy paths that yet led me to love. -All is passed now, and passionless, faint are ye waxen, -Ye hours of blind seeking full of pain clean forgotten. -If it were not that e'en now her eyes I behold not. -That the way lieth long to her feet that would find me, -That the green seas delay yet her fair arms enfolding, -That the long leagues of air will not bear the cry hither -Wherewith she is crying. Come, love, for I love thee. - [_A trumpet sounds_. -Hark! O days grown a dream of the dream ye have won me, -Do ye draw forth the ghosts of old deeds that were nothing, -That the sound of my trumpet floats down on the even? -What shows will ye give me to grace my departure? -Hark!--the beat of the horse-hoofs, the murmur of men folk! -Am I riding from battle amidst of my faithful, -Wild hopes in my heart of the days that are coming; -Wild longing unsatisfied clinging about me; -Full of faith that the summer sun elsewhere is ripening -The fruit grown a pain for my parched lips to think of? ---Come back, thou poor Pharamond! come back for my pity! -Far afield must thou fare before the rest cometh; -In far lands are they raising the walls of thy prison, -Forging wiles for waylaying, and fair lies for lulling, -The faith and the fire of the heart the world hateth. -In thy way wax streams fordless, and choked passes pathless, -Fever lurks in the valley, and plague passeth over -The sand of the plain, and with venom and fury -Fulfilled are the woods that thou needs must wend through: -In the hollow of the mountains the wind is a-storing -Till the keel that shall carry thee hoisteth her sail; -War is crouching unseen round the lands thou shalt come to, -With thy sword cast away and thy cunning forgotten. -Yea, and e'en the great lord, the great Love of thy fealty, -He who goadeth thee on, weaveth nets to cast o'er thee. ---And thou knowest it all, as thou ridest there lonely, -With the tangles and toils of to-morrow's uprising -Making ready meanwhile for more days of thy kingship. -Faithful heart hadst thou, Pharamond, to hold fast thy treasure! -I am fain of thee: surely no shame hath destained thee; -Come hither, for thy face all unkissed would I look on! ---Stand we close, for here cometh King Theobald from the hunting. - - -_Enter KING THEOBALD, HONORIUS, and the people._ - - -KING THEOBALD - -A fair day, my folk, have I had in your fellowship, -And as fair a day cometh to-morrow to greet us, -When the lord of the Golden Land bringeth us tribute: -Grace the gifts of my good-hap with your presence, I pray you. - - -THE PEOPLE - -God save Theobald the Good, the king of his people! - - -HONORIUS (_aside_) - -Yea, save him! and send the Gold lords away satisfied, -That the old sword of Pharamond, lying asleep there -In the new golden scabbard, will yet bite as aforetime! - [_They pass away into the palace court._ - - -KING PHARAMOND - -Troop past in the twilight, O pageant that served me, -Pour through the dark archway to the light that awaits you -In the chamber of daïs where I once sat among you! -Like the shadows ye are to the shadowless glory -Of the banquet-hall blazing with gold and light go ye: -There blink for a little at your king in his bravery, -Then bear forth your faith to the blackness of night-tide, -And fall asleep fearless of memories of Pharamond, -And in dim dreams dream haply that ye too are kings ---For your dull morrow cometh that is as to-day is. - -Pass on in contentment, O king, I discerned not -Through the cloak of your blindness that saw nought beside thee, -That feared for no pain and craved for no pleasure! -Pass on, dead-alive, to thy place! thou art worthy: -Nor shalt thou grow wearier than well-worshipped idol -That the incense winds round in the land of the heathen, -While the early and latter rains fall as God listeth, -And on earth that God loveth the sun riseth daily. ---Well art thou: for wert thou the crown of all rulers, -No field shouldst thou ripen, free no frost-bounden river, -Loose no heart from its love, turn no soul to salvation, -Thrust no tempest aside, stay no plague in mid ocean, -Yet grow unto thinking that thou wert God's brother, -Till loveless death gripped thee unloved, unlamented. ---Pass forth, weary King, bear thy crown high to-night! -Then fall asleep, fearing no cry from times bygone, -But in dim dreams dream haply that thou art desired,-- ---For thy dull morrow cometh, and is as to-day is. - -Ah, hold! now there flashes a link in the archway, -And its light falleth full on thy face, O Honorius, -And I know thee the land's lord, and far away fadeth -My old life of a king at the sight, O thou stranger! -For I know thee full surely the foe the heart hateth -For that barren fulfilment of all that it lacketh. -I may turn away praising that those days long departed -Departed without thee--how long had I piped then -Or e'er thou hadst danced, how long were my weeping -Ere thou hadst lamented!--What dear thing desired -Would thy heart e'er have come to know why I craved for! -To what crime I could think of couldst thou be consenting? -Yet thou--well I know thee most meet for a ruler-- ---Thou lovest not mercy, yet shalt thou be merciful; -Thou joy'st not in justice, yet just shall thy dooms be; -No deep hell thou dreadest, nor dream'st of high heaven; -No gleam of love leads thee: no gift men may give thee; -For no kiss, for no comfort the lone way thou wearest, -A blind will without life, lest thou faint ere the end come. ---Yea, folly it was when I called thee my foeman; -From thee may I turn now with sword in the scabbard -Without shame or misgiving, because God hath made thee -A ruler for manfolk: pass on then unpitied! -There is darkness between us till the measure's fulfilment. -Amidst singing thou hear'st not, fair sights that thou seest not, -Think this eve on the deeds thou shalt set in men's hands -To bring fair days about for which thou hast no blessing. -Then fall asleep fearless of dead days that return not; -Yet dream if thou may'st that thou yet hast a hope! ---For thy dull morrow cometh and is as to-day is. - -O sweet wind of the night, wherewith now ariseth -The red moon through the garden boughs frail, overladen, -O faint murmuring tongue of the dream-tide triumphant, -That wouldst tell me sad tales in the times long passed over, -If somewhat I sicken and turn to your freshness, -From no shame it is of earth's tangle and trouble, -And deeds done for nought, and change that forgetteth; -But for hope of the lips that I kissed on the sea-strand, -But for hope of the hands that clung trembling about me,-- -And the breast that was heaving with words driven backward, -By longing I longed for, by pain of departing, -By my eyes that knew her pain, my pain that might speak not-- -Yea, for hope of the morn when the sea is passed over, -And for hope of the next moon the elm-boughs shall tangle; -And fresh dawn, and fresh noon, and fresh night of desire -Still following and changing, with nothing forgotten; -For hope of new wonder each morn, when I, waking -Behold her awaking eyes turning to seek me; -For hope of fresh marvels each time the world changing -Shall show her feet moving in noontide to meet me; -For hope of fresh bliss, past all words, half forgotten, -When her voice shall break through the hushed blackness of night. ---O sweet wind of the summer-tide, broad moon a-whitening, -Bear me witness to Love, and the world he has fashioned! -It shall change, we shall change, as through rain and through sunshine -The green rod of the rose-bough to blossoming changeth: -Still lieth in wait with his sweet tale untold of -Each long year of Love, and the first scarce beginneth, -Wherein I have hearkened to the word God hath whispered, -Why the fair world was fashioned mid wonders uncounted. -Breathe soft, O sweet wind, for surely she speaketh: -_Weary I wax, and my life is a-waning; -Life lapseth fast, and I faint for thee, Pharamond,_ -_What are thou lacking if Love no more sufficeth?_ ---Weary not, sweet, as I weary to meet thee; -Look not on the long way but my eyes that were weeping -Faint not in love as thy Pharamond fainteth!-- ---Yea, Love were enough if thy lips were not lacking. - - -THE MUSIC - - - -_LOVE IS ENOUGH: ho ye who seek saving, - Go no further; come hither; there have been who have found it, -And these know the House of Fulfilment of Craving; - These know the Cup with the roses around it; - _These know the World's Wound and the balm that hath bound it: -Cry out, the World heedeth not, "Love, lead us home!" - -He leadeth, He hearkeneth, He cometh to you-ward; - Set your faces as steel to the fears that assemble -Round his goad for the faint, and his scourge for the froward: - Lo his lips, how with tales of last kisses they tremble! - Lo his eyes of all sorrow that may not dissemble! -Cry out, for he heedeth, "O Love, lead us home!" - -O hearken the words of his voice of compassion: - "Come cling round about me, ye faithful who sicken -Of the weary unrest and the world's passing fashion! - As the rain in mid-morning your troubles shall thicken, - But surely within you some Godhead doth quicken, -As ye cry to me heeding, and leading you home._ - -"Come--pain ye shall have, and be blind to the ending! - Come--fear ye shall have, mid the sky's overcasting! -Come--change ye shall have, for far are ye wending! - Come--no crown ye shall have for your thirst and your fasting, - But the kissed lips of Love and fair life everlasting! -Cry out, for one heedeth, who leadeth you home!" - -Is he gone? was he with us?--ho ye who seek savings - Go no further; come hither; for have we not found it? -Here is the House of Fulfilment of Craving; - Here is the Cup with the roses around it; - The World's Wound well healed, and the balm that hath bound it: -Cry out! for he heedeth, fair Love that led home._ - - -_Enter before the curtain, LOVE, holding a crown and -palm-branch._ - - - -LOVE - -If love be real, if I whom ye behold -Be aught but glittering wings and gown of gold, -Be aught but singing of an ancient song -Made sweet by record of dead stingless wrong, -How shall we part at that sad garden's end -Through which the ghosts of mighty lovers wend? -How shall ye faint and fade with giftless hands -Who once held fast the life of all the lands? ---Beloved, if so much as this I say, -I know full well ye need it not to-day, -As with full hearts and glorious hope ablaze -Through the thick veil of what shall be ye gaze, -And lacking words to name the things ye see -Turn back with yearning speechless mouths to me.-- ---Ah, not to-day--and yet the time has been -When by the bed my wings have waved unseen -Wherein my servant lay who deemed me dead; -My tears have dropped anigh the hapless head -Deep buried in the grass and crying out -For heaven to fall, and end despair or doubt: -Lo, for such days I speak and say, believe -That from these hands reward ye shall receive. ---Reward of what?--Life springing fresh again.-- -Life of delight?--I say it not--Of pain? -It may be--Pain eternal?--Who may tell? -Yet pain of Heaven, beloved, and not of Hell. ---What sign, what sign, ye cry, that so it is? -The sign of Earth, its sorrow and its bliss, -Waxing and waning, steadfastness and change; -Too full of life that I should think it strange -Though death hang over it; too sure to die -But I must deem its resurrection nigh. ---In what wise, ah, in what wise shall it be? -How shall the bark that girds the winter tree -Babble about the sap that sleeps beneath, -And tell the fashion of its life and death? -How shall my tongue in speech man's longing wrought -Tell of the things whereof he knoweth nought? -Should I essay it might ye understand -How those I love shall share my promised land! -Then must I speak of little things as great, -Then must I tell of love and call it hate, -Then must I bid you seek what all men shun, -Reward defeat, praise deeds that were not done. - -Have faith, and crave and suffer, and all ye -The many mansions of my house shall see -In all content: cast shame and pride away, -Let honour gild the world's eventless day, -Shrink not from change, and shudder not at crime, -Leave lies to rattle in the sieve of Time! -Then, whatsoe'er your workday gear shall stain, -Of me a wedding-garment shall ye gain -No God shall dare cry out at, when at last -Your time of ignorance is overpast; -A wedding garment, and a glorious seat -Within my household, e'en as yet be meet. - -Fear not, I say again; believe it true -That not as men mete shall I measure you: -This calm strong soul, whose hidden tale found out -Has grown a spell to conquer fear and doubt, -Is he not mine? yea, surely--mine no less -This well mocked clamourer out of bitterness: -The strong one's strength, from me he had it not; -Let the world keep it that his love forgot; -The weak one's weakness was enough to save, -Let the world hide it in his honour's grave! -For whatso folly is, or wisdom was -Across my threshold naked all must pass. - -Fear not; no vessel to dishonour born -Is in my house; there all shall well adorn -The walls whose stones the lapse of Time has laid. -Behold again; this life great stories made; -All cast aside for love, and then and then -Love filched away; the world an adder-den, -And all folk foes: and one, the one desire-- ---How shall we name it?--grown a poisoned fire, -God once, God still, but God of wrong and shame -A lying God, a curse without a name. -So turneth love to hate, the wise world saith. ---Folly--I say 'twixt love and hate lies death, -They shall not mingle: neither died this love, -But through a dreadful world all changed must move -With earthly death and wrong, and earthly woe -The only deeds its hand might find to do. -Surely ye deem that this one shall abide -Within the murmuring palace of my pride. - -But lo another, how shall he have praise? -Through flame and thorns I led him many days -And nought he shrank, but smiled and followed close, -Till in his path the shade of hate arose -'Twixt him and his desire: with heart that burned -For very love back through the thorns he turned, -His wounds, his tears, his prayers without avail -Forgotten now, nor e'en for him a tale; -Because for love's sake love he cast aside. ---Lo, saith the World, a heart well satisfied -With what I give, a barren love forgot-- ---Draw near me, O my child, and heed them not! -The world thou lovest, e'en my world it is, -Thy faithful hands yet reach out for my bliss, -Thou seest me in the night and in the day -Thou canst not deem that I can go astray. - -No further, saith the world 'twixt Heaven and Hell -Than 'twixt these twain.--My faithful, heed it well! -For on the great day when the hosts are met -On Armageddon's plain by spears beset, -This is my banner with my sign thereon, -That is my sword wherewith my deeds are done. -But how shall tongue of man tell all the tale -Of faithful hearts who overcome or fail, -But at the last fail nowise to be mine. -In diverse ways they drink the fateful wine -Those twain drank mid the lulling of the storm -Upon the Irish Sea, when love grown warm -Kindled and blazed, and lit the days to come, -The hope and joy and death that led them home. ---In diverse ways; yet having drunk, be sure -The flame thus lighted ever shall endure, -So my feet trod the grapes whereby it glowed. - -Lo, Faithful, lo, the door of my abode -Wide open now, and many pressing in -That they the lordship of the World may win! -Hark to the murmuring round my bannered car, -And gird your weapons to you for the war! -For who shall say how soon the day shall be -Of that last fight that swalloweth up the sea? -Fear not, be ready! forth the banners go, -And will not turn again till every foe -Is overcome as though they had not been. -Then, with your memories ever fresh and green, -Come back within the House of Love to dwell; -For ye--the sorrow that no words might tell, -Your tears unheeded, and your prayers made nought -Thus and no otherwise through all have wrought, -That if, the while ye toiled and sorrowed most -The sound of your lamenting seemed all lost, -And from my land no answer came again, -It was because of that your care and pain -A house was building, and your bitter sighs -Came hither as toil-helping melodies, -And in the mortar of our gem-built wall -Your tears were mingled mid the rise and fall -Of golden trowels tinkling in the hands -Of builders gathered wide from all the lands.-- ---Is the house finished? Nay, come help to build -Walls that the sun of sorrow once did gild -Through many a bitter morn and hopeless eve, -That so at last in bliss ye may believe; -Then rest with me, and turn no more to tears, -For then no more by days and months and years, -By hours of pain come back, and joy passed o'er -We measure time that was--and is no more. - - -JOAN - -The afternoon is waxen grey -Now these fair shapes have passed away; -And I, who should be merry now -A-thinking of the glorious show, -Feel somewhat sad, and wish it were -To-morrow's mid-morn fresh and fair -About the babble of our stead. - - -GILES - -Content thee, sweet, for nowise dead -Within our hearts the story is; -It shall come back to better bliss -On many an eve of happy spring, -Or midst of summer's flourishing. -Or think--some noon of autumn-tide -Thou wandering on the turf beside -The chestnut-wood may'st find thy song -Fade out, as slow thou goest along, -Until at last thy feet stay there -As though thou bidedst something fair, -And hearkenedst for a coming foot; -While down the hole unto the root -The long leaves flutter loud to thee -The fall of spiky nuts shall be, -And creeping wood-wale's noise above; -For thou wouldst see the wings of Love. - - -JOAN - -Or some November eve belike -Thou wandering back with bow and tyke -From wolf-chase on the wind-swept hill -Shall find that narrow vale and still, -And Pharamond and Azalais -Amidmost of that grassy place -Where we twain met last year, whereby -Red-shafted pine-trunks rise on high, -And changeless now from year to year, -What change soever brought them there, -Great rocks are scattered all around: ---Wouldst thou be frightened at the sound -Of their soft speech? So long ago -It was since first their love did grow. - - -GILES - -Maybe: for e'en now when he turned, -His heart's scorn and his hate outburned, -And love the more for that ablaze, -I shuddered, e'en as in the place -High up the mountains, where men say -Gods dwelt in time long worn away. - - -JOAN - -At Love's voice did I tremble too, -And his bright wings, for all I knew -He was a comely minstrel-lad, -In dainty golden raiment clad. - - -GILES - -Yea, yea; for though to-day he spake -Words measured for our pleasure's sake, -From well-taught mouth not overwise, -Yet did that fount of speech arise -In days that ancient folk called old. -O long ago the tale was told -To mighty men of thought and deed, -Who kindled hearkening their own need, -Set forth by long-forgotten men, -E'en as we kindle: praise we then -Tales of old time, whereby alone -The fairness of the world is shown. - - -JOAN - -A longing yet about me clings, -As I had hearkened half-told things; -And better than the words make plain -I seem to know these lovers twain. -Let us go hence, lest there should fall -Something that yet should mar it all. - - -GILES - -Hist--Master Mayor is drawn anigh; -The Empress speaketh presently. - - -THE MAYOR - -May it please you, your Graces, that I be forgiven, -Over-bold, over-eager to bear forth my speech, -In which yet there speaketh the Good Town, beseeching -That ye tell us of your kindness if ye be contented -With this breath of old tales, and shadowy seemings -Of old times departed.--Overwise for our pleasure -May the rhyme be perchance; but rightly we knew not -How to change it and fashion it fresh into fairness. -And once more, your Graces, we pray your forgiveness -For the boldness Love gave us to set forth this story; -And again, that I say, all that Pharamond sought for, -Through sick dreams and weariness, now have ye found, -Mid health and in wealth, and in might to uphold us; -Midst our love who shall deem you our hope and our treasure. -Well all is done now; so forget ye King Pharamond, -And Azalais his love, if we set it forth foully, -That fairly set forth were a sweet thing to think of -In the season of summer betwixt labour and sleeping. - - -THE EMPEROR - -Fair Master Mayor, and City well beloved, -Think of us twain as folk no little moved -By this your kindness; and believe it not -That Pharamond the Freed shall be forgot, -By us at least: yea, more than ye may think, -This summer dream into our hearts shall sink. -Lo, Pharamond longed and toiled, nor toiled in vain, -But fame he won: he longed and toiled again, -And Love he won: 'twas a long time ago, -And men did swiftly what we now do slow, -And he, a great man full of gifts and grace, -Wrought out a twofold life in ten years' space. -Ah, fair sir, if for me reward come first, -Yet will I hope that ye have seen the worst -Of that my kingcraft, that I yet shall earn -Some part of that which is so long to learn. -Now of your gentleness I pray you bring -This knife and girdle, deemed a well-wrought thing; -And a king's thanks, whatso they be of worth, -To him who Pharamond this day set forth -In worthiest wise, and made a great man live, -Giving me greater gifts than I may give. - - -THE EMPRESS - -And therewithal I pray you, Master Mayor, -Unto the seeming Azalais to bear -This chain, that she may wear it for my sake, -The memory of my pleasure to awake. [_Exit MAYOR_. - - -THE EMPEROR - -Gifts such as kings give, sweet! Fain had I been -To see him face to face and his fair Queen, -And thank him friendly; asking him maybe -How the world looks to one with love left free: -It may not be, for as thine eyes say, sweet, -Few folk as friends shall unfreed Pharamond meet. -So is it: we are lonelier than those twain, -Though from their vale they ne'er depart again. - - -THE EMPRESS - -Shall I lament it, love, since thou and I -By all the seeming pride are drawn more nigh? -Lo, love, our toil-girthed garden of desire, -How of its changeless sweetness may we tire, -While round about the storm is in the boughs -And careless change amid the turmoil ploughs -The rugged fields we needs must stumble o'er, -Till the grain ripens that shall change no more. - - -THE EMPEROR - -Yea, and an omen fair we well may deem -This dreamy shadowing of ancient dream, -Of what our own hearts long for on the day -When the first furrow cleaves the fallow grey. - - -THE EMPRESS - -O fair it is! let us go forth, my sweet, -And be alone amid the babbling street; -Yea, so alone that scarce the hush of night -May add one joy unto our proved delight. - - -GILES - -Fair lovers were they: I am fain -To see them both ere long again; -Yea, nigher too, if it might be. - - -JOAN - -Too wide and dim, love, lies the sea, -That we should look on face to face -This Pharamond and Azalais. -Those only from the dead come back -Who left behind them what they lack. - - -GILES - -Nay, I was asking nought so strange, -Since long ago their life did change: -The seeming King and Queen I meant. -And e'en now 'twas my full intent -To bid them home to us straightway, -And crown the joyance of to-day. -He may be glad to see my face, -He first saw mid that waggon race -When the last barley-sheaf came home. - - -JOAN - -A great joy were it, should they come. -They are dear lovers, sure enough. -He deems the summer air too rough -To touch her kissed cheek, howsoe'er -Through winter mountains they must fare, -He would bid spring new flowers to make -Before her feet, that oft must ache -With flinty driftings of the waste. -And sure is she no more abased -Before the face of king and lord, -Than if the very Pharamond's sword -Her love amid the hosts did wield -Above the dinted lilied shield: -O bid them home with us, and we -Their scholars for a while will be -In many a lesson of sweet lore -To learn love's meaning more and more. - - -GILES - -And yet this night of all the year -Happier alone perchance they were, -And better so belike would seem -The glorious lovers of the dream: -So let them dream on lip to lip: -Yet will I gain his fellowship -Ere many days be o'er my head, -And they shall rest them in our stead; -And there we four awhile shall dwell -As though the world were nought but well, -And that old time come back again -When nought in all the earth had pain. -The sun through lime-boughs where we dine -Upon my father's cup shall shine; -The vintage of the river-bank, -That ten years since the sunbeams drank, -Shall fill the mazer bowl carved o'er -With naked shepherd-folk of yore. -Dainty should seem worse fare than ours -As o'er the close-thronged garden flowers -The wind comes to us, and the bees -Complain overhead mid honey-trees. - - -JOAN - -Wherewith shall we be garlanded? - - -GILES - -For thee the buds of roses red. - - -JOAN - -For her white roses widest blown. - - -GILES - -The jasmine boughs for Pharamond's crown. - - -JOAN - -And sops-in-wine for thee, fair love. - - -GILES - -Surely our feast shall deeper move -The kind heart of the summer-tide -Than many a day of pomp and pride; -And as by moon and stars well lit -Our kissing lips shall finish it, -Full satisfied our hearts shall be -With that well-won felicity. - - -JOAN - -Ah, sweetheart, be not all so sure: -Love, who beyond all worlds shall dure, -Mid pleading sweetness still doth keep -A goad to stay his own from sleep; -And I shall long as thou shalt long -For unknown cure of unnamed wrong -As from our happy feast we pass -Along the rose-strewn midnight grass-- ---Praise Love who will not be forgot! - - -GILES - -Yea, praise we Love who sleepeth not! ---Come, o'er much gold mine eyes have seen, -And long now for the pathway green, -And rose-hung ancient walls of grey -Yet warm with sunshine gone away. - - -JOAN - -Yea, full fain would I rest thereby, -And watch the flickering martins fly -About the long eave-bottles red -And the clouds lessening overhead: -E'en now meseems the cows are come -Unto the grey gates of our home, -And low to hear the milking-pail: -The peacock spreads abroad his tail -Against the sun, as down the lane -The milkmaids pass the moveless wain, -And stable door, where the roan team -An hour agone began to dream -Over the dusty oats.-- - Come, love, -Noises of river and of grove -And moving things in field and stall -And night-birds' whistle shall be all -Of the world's speech that we shall hear -By then we come the garth anear: -For then the moon that hangs aloft -These thronged streets, lightless now and soft, -Unnoted, yea, e'en like a shred -Of yon wide white cloud overhead, -Sharp in the dark star-sprinkled sky -Low o'er the willow boughs shall lie; -And when our chamber we shall gain -Eastward our drowsy eyes shall strain -If yet perchance the dawn may show. ---O Love, go with us as we go, -And from the might of thy fair hand -Cast wide about the blooming land -The seed of such-like tales as this! ---O Day, change round about our bliss, -Come, restful night, when day is done! -Come, dawn, and bring a fairer one! - - - - * * * * * - - -Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & Co. - -Edinburgh & London - - - - - - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Poems By The Way & Love Is Enough -by William Morris - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK POEMS BY THE WAY & LOVE IS ENOUGH *** - -***** This file should be named 15311.txt or 15311.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - https://www.gutenberg.org/1/5/3/1/15311/ - -Produced by Michael Ciesielski, Carol David and Lynn Bornath -and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team. 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