DOUBLE QUATRAINS.
119
Far on the shore, with sun, and dove, and dew,
And apple-flowers, I suddenly saw you.
Then—was it kind or cruel that the sea
Held back my hands, and kissed and clung to me?
And apple-flowers, I suddenly saw you.
Then—was it kind or cruel that the sea
Held back my hands, and kissed and clung to me?
VII.
A LOOK INTO THE GRAVE.
I look, through tears, into the dust to find
What manner of rest man's only rest may be.
The darkness rises up and smites me blind.
The darkness—is there nothing more to see?
What manner of rest man's only rest may be.
The darkness rises up and smites me blind.
The darkness—is there nothing more to see?
Oh, after flood, and fire, and famine, and
The hollow watches we are made to keep
In our forced marches over sea and land—
I wish we had a sweeter place to sleep.
The hollow watches we are made to keep
In our forced marches over sea and land—
I wish we had a sweeter place to sleep.
VIII.
ETIQUETTE.
In some old Spanish court there chanced to be
No one whose office was to save the king
From death by fire. The king himself? Not he;—
Could royal hands have done so mean a thing?
No one whose office was to save the king
From death by fire. The king himself? Not he;—
Could royal hands have done so mean a thing?
