The Veil and other poems/The Quiet Enemy

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2810041The Veil and other poems — The Quiet EnemyWalter de la Mare


THE QUIET ENEMY

HEARKEN—now the hermit bee
Drones a quiet threnody;
Greening on the stagnant pool
The criss-cross light slants silken-cool;
In the venomed yew tree wings
Preen and flit. The linnet sings.
 
Gradually the brave sun
Drops to a day's journey done;
In the marshy flats abide
Mists to muffle midnight-tide.
Puffed within the belfry tower
Hungry owls drowse out their hour. . . .
 
Walk in beauty. Vaunt thy rose.
Flaunt thy transient loveliness.
Pace for pace with thee there goes
A shape that hath not come to bless.

I thine enemy? . . . Nay, nay.
I can only watch and wait
Patient treacherous time away.
Hold ajar the wicket gate.