Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/1018

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.

BRET HARTE

1839-1902


813. What the Bullet sang

O joy of creation,
        To be!
O rapture, to fly
        And be free!
Be the battle lost or won,
Though its smoke shall hide the sun,
I shall find my love—the one
        Born for me!

I shall know him where he stands
        All alone,
With the power in his hands
        Not o'erthrown;
I shall know him by his face,
By his godlike front and grace;
I shall hold him for a space
        All my own!

It is he—O my love!
        So bold!
It is I—all thy love
        Foretold!
It is I—O love, what bliss!
Dost thou answer to my kiss?
O sweetheart! what is this
        Lieth there so cold?