His Lady of the Sonnets Part 1

His Lady of the Sonnets.

by Robert W. Norwood.

HIS LADY OF THE SONNETS

I

My soul awoke from slumber--the long ease Of years that pa.s.sed away in dull content, Not caring what the world's deep voices meant-- Sunk in my dreams, I heard their harmonies Like wind-blown clamour of far-calling seas That told of Ithaca to sailors spent With trouble, and forgetful at the scent And taste of fruit plucked from the lotus trees;

For as I slept, your footsteps on the gra.s.s, Your voice, wrought once again the Miracle Of Eden; and I saw appear and pa.s.s Eve in her beauty, binding still the spell That Adam felt, when from his opened side Stepped Woman forth in loveliness and pride.

II

I meet you in the mystery of the night, A dear Dream-G.o.ddess on a crescent moon; An opalescent splendour, like a noon Of lilies; and I wonder that the height Should darken for the depth to give me light-- Light of your face, so lovely that I swoon With gazing, and then wake to find how soon Joy of the world fades when you fade from sight.

Beholding you, I am Endymion, Lost and immortal in Latmian dreams; With Dian bending down to look upon Her shepherd, whose aeonian slumber seems A moment, twinkling like a starry gem Among the jewels of her diadem.

III

If I could tell why, when you look at me, Dreams that have visited half wakeful nights Re-form and shape themselves, and Pisgah-sights Fill one far valley to a purple sea; And white-domed cities rise with porphyry, Jacinth and sapphire gates, beneath the heights, Rose-flamed within the dawn where Ph[oe]bus smites Earth with his heel--claiming its lord to be;

Then would you know what my heart seeks to say And falters ere sufficient words be found: How all the voiceless night and vocal day Love looks on you and trembles into sound; Love longs and pleads for his one moment's bliss-- You and him mingled in a silent kiss.

IV

My love is like a spring among the hills Whose br.i.m.m.i.n.g waters may not be confined, But pour one torrent through the ways that wind Down to a garden; there the rose distills Its nectar; there a tall, white lily fills Night with anointing of two lovers, blind, Dumb, deaf, of body, spirit, and of mind From breathless blending of far-sundered wills.

Long ere my love had reached you, hard I strove To send its torrent through the barren fields; I wanted you, the lilied treasure-trove Of innocence, whose dear possession yields Immortal gladness to my heart that knows How you surpa.s.s the lily and the rose.

V

Like one great opal on the breast of Night, Soft and translucent, hangs the orb of June!

I hear wild pipings of a joyous tune Played on a golden reed for the delight Of you, my hidden, lovely Eremite-- You by the fountain from the marble hewn-- You silent as in dream, with flowers strewn About your feet--you G.o.ddess, robed in white!

Mute and amazed, I at the broken wall Lean fearful, lest the sudden, dreadful dawn For me Diana's awful doom let fall; And I be cursed with curious Action, Save that you find in me this strong defence-- My adoration of your innocence.

VI

When from the rose-mist of creation grew G.o.d's patient waiting in your wide-set eyes, The morning stars, and all the host that flies On wings of love, paused at the wondrous blue With which the Master, mindful of the hue, Stained first the crystal dome of summer skies; And afterward the violet that vies With amethyst, before He fashioned you.

And I have trembled with those ancient stars; My heart has known the flame-winged seraphs' song; For no indifferent, dreamy eyelid bars Me from the blue, nor veils with lashes long Your love, that to my tender gazing grows Bold to confess it: I am glad he knows!

VII

There came three wise men riding from the east; One was a king and brought a gift of gold; And one bore frankincense that fate foretold; While myrrh was offered by a mitred priest.

Nor ever hath Love's brave adventure ceased Since that fair night ashine with stars and cold, When even angels paused their wings to fold-- Love to adore made one with man and beast.

Accept three gifts I to thee gladly bring; Each hath its own divine significance: Gold is the Body thou hast crowned a king; My Spirit is the prophet's frankincense; Myrrh is the Mind which strives to tell thee all Love's mystic and melodious ritual!

VIII

Sometimes I think that we have lived before, And found sweet interest down the centuries In all life's little things that charm and please; That we have toiled together at the oar In one of Caesar's galleys; that we bore One burden on our backs and bowed the knees Of servitude to Charlemagne; and these Have taught us how to love for evermore.

Dear Comrade, we have often changed our state; We have been slaves and masters, serfs and kings; You have been man, I woman, wont to wait Upon my lover's word; rememberings Are in the mystic rapture that we feel Whenever at your feet a while I kneel.

IX

Two faces haunt the stillnesses of sleep.

The first is of a woman I have known Past years, in many lives, as on a throne Within my heart, for whom I daily keep Fast and high vigil while deep calls to deep; You also stir me, like wind-voices blown Through woodland hollows where I walk alone When twilight and its shadows slowly creep;

And I am torn 'twixt love of you and her-- My dear Dream-Lady of some long ago-- Till past and present, pausing to confer, Determine what I hardly dare to know: The faces I have loved and love are one-- How you have followed me from sun to sun!

X

Last night I crossed the s.p.a.ces to your side, As you lay sleeping in the sacred room Of our great moment. Like a lily's bloom, Fragile and white were you, my spirit-bride, For pain and loneliness with you abide, And Death had thought to touch you with his doom, Until Love stood angelic at the tomb, Drew sword, smote him, and life's door opened wide.

I looked on you and breathed upon your hair-- Your hair of such soft, brown, translucent gold!

Nor did you know that I knelt down in prayer, Clasped hands, and worshipped you for the untold Magnificence of womanhood divine-- G.o.d's miracle of Water turned to Wine!