130
Poems
Have fallen, in that moment of deep pain,
When, after years of silence, once again
She stands before the only love she knew,—
Knowing him false to vows she still held true.
When, after years of silence, once again
She stands before the only love she knew,—
Knowing him false to vows she still held true.
A moment—a brief moment stands she there,
Of God's best gifts, the fairest and most fair;
Then draws about her royal soul again
Her robe of state, and stands, once more a queen;
Lifts, from the lowly place where they were thrown,
Her talents' golden sceptre, and rich crown;
Encircles once again her brow of might,
With deep soul's calm, and intellect's soft light.
When she resumes, her theme is swept away,
And LOVE is now the burden of her lay.
Of God's best gifts, the fairest and most fair;
Then draws about her royal soul again
Her robe of state, and stands, once more a queen;
Lifts, from the lowly place where they were thrown,
Her talents' golden sceptre, and rich crown;
Encircles once again her brow of might,
With deep soul's calm, and intellect's soft light.
When she resumes, her theme is swept away,
And LOVE is now the burden of her lay.
She speaks of fair Urbino, and you see
The opening flowers, and hear the humming bee;
You hear the song-bird calling to his mate,—
The lowing kine beside the still-closed gate;
The ripples glancing on the water's sheen,—
The blithe, young feet that dance upon the green;
You breathe the fragrance in the summer air,
And feel that youth, and hope, and joy, are there;
You see God's sunshine pouring o'er it all,—
Fair as was Eden's bower before the fall.
The opening flowers, and hear the humming bee;
You hear the song-bird calling to his mate,—
The lowing kine beside the still-closed gate;
The ripples glancing on the water's sheen,—
The blithe, young feet that dance upon the green;
You breathe the fragrance in the summer air,
And feel that youth, and hope, and joy, are there;
You see God's sunshine pouring o'er it all,—
Fair as was Eden's bower before the fall.
