English poem
In an Autumn Garden...
by Isabel Ecclestone Mackay (1875–1928)
In an Autumn Garden
TO-NIGHT the air discloses Souls of a million roses, And ghosts of hyacinths that died too soon; From Pan's safe-hidden altar Dim wraiths of incense falter In waving spiral, making sweet the moon!
Aroused from fragrant covers, The vows of vanished lovers Take voice in whisperings that rise and pass; Where the crisped leaves are lying A tremulous, low sighing Breathes like a startled spirit o'er the grass.
Ah, Love! in some far garden, In Arcady or Arden, We two were lovers! Hush—remember not The years in which I've missed you— 'Twas yesterday I kissed you Beneath this haunted moon! Have you forgot?