And where the rolling clouds would glow
Vermeil or crimson angrily
Rose in a cluster straight and tall
The chimneys of a factory.
Vermeil or crimson angrily
Rose in a cluster straight and tall
The chimneys of a factory.
They might be stamens grouped within
The deep heart of that swarthy rose;
Or shafts of rough pearl rising from
Some dim haunt that the sea-king knows.
The deep heart of that swarthy rose;
Or shafts of rough pearl rising from
Some dim haunt that the sea-king knows.
And watching them I thought in spite
Of dirt and ugliness and sin
Beauty will never vanquished be—
Triumphant still she enters in.
Of dirt and ugliness and sin
Beauty will never vanquished be—
Triumphant still she enters in.
YET, ONCE—
Never again, my dear, shall we together
Walk the long lanes in glory of the year,
Through pearl and purple of the April twilight
As once we did, my dear.
Walk the long lanes in glory of the year,
Through pearl and purple of the April twilight
As once we did, my dear.
And see the soft clouds blown like lilac petals—
All things had such strange grace when you were near—
Across a sky of palest honey color,
As once we saw, my dear.
All things had such strange grace when you were near—
Across a sky of palest honey color,
As once we saw, my dear.
Never again, I'll know that you are calling
In the low voice that only I might hear
Through darkness and the steady throb of rainfall,
As once I knew, my dear.
In the low voice that only I might hear
Through darkness and the steady throb of rainfall,
As once I knew, my dear.
[ 9 ]
