A LADY TO A KNIGHT
Sir Knight, thou lovest not,
If thou wouldst be too dear;
And I less worshipful, I wot,
If thou couldst kneel so near!
So must thy shield of flawless fame
Shine clear in honor's light;
Lest I should know a queenly shame
To find thee less a knight.
"IS HOPE A PHANTOM?"
Is Hope a phantom? Holds the crystal cup
Sweet madness only—an we drink it up?
A respite ere the poor, doomed soul is killed?
—Then spake one who had loved: "Hope is no lie,
But real as answered Love, or unfulfilled;
Yet were Hope phantom-false, still would I cry,
'Hail, Thou Bright Poisoner! let me drink, and die!'"
SONG
If, lest thy heart betray thee,
Thou to one lover wouldst not constant be,
And yet thou couldst love me—
This boon I pray thee:
Divide the dark from light,
Love me by night.
If thy sweet thought would find me,
Not through the garish day, O, give it wing: