Vivamus

When thou didst give thy love to me, Asking no more of gods or men I vow'd I would contented be, If Fate should grant us summers ten.

But now that twice the term is sped, And ever young my heart and gay, I fear the words that then I said, And turn my face from Fate away.

To bid thee happily good-bye I have no hope that I can see, No way that I shall bravely die, Unless I give my life for thee.

1901.

7

One grief of thine if truth be confest Was joy to me; for it drave to my breast Thee, to my heart to find thy rest.

How long it was I never shall know: I watcht the earth so stately and slow, And the ancient things that waste and grow.

But now for me what speed devours Our heavenly life, our brilliant hours! How fast they fly, the stars and flowers!

8

In still midsummer night When the moon is late And the stars all watery and white For her coming wait,

A spirit, whose eyes are possest By wonder new, Passeth--her arms upon her breast Enwrapt from the dew In a raiment of azure fold With diaper Of flower'd embroidery of gold Bestarr'd with silver.

* * *

The daisy folk are awake Their carpet to spread, And the thron'd stars gazing on her make Fresh crowns for her head,

Netted in her floating hair As she drifteth free Between the starriness of the air And the starry lea,

From the silent-shadow'd vale By the west wind drawn Aloft to melt into the pale Moonrise of dawn.

1910.

9