His Lady of the Sonnets Part 6

Then to the palace all flaming I went, Flaming with love for Pomona, my pride.

Back like a bow her dear body I bent, Kissed her and placed her in joy at my side;

Crowned her with myrtle, proclaimed her a queen; Drank to her eyes and her lips and her hair; Clasped on her throat of an ivory sheen Gems of an order kings only might wear.

Oh, how she sparkled and gleamed like a sword!

Oh, how the cymbals and tabours did sound!

Oh, my Pomona, my loved and adored-- Dust of the body is dust of the ground!

For I forgot Him, and bought with my gold Houses and lands. Yea, I sought far and wide Pleasure and ease. Then one day I was old....

Darkness came over the noon ... and I died!

Dead and companioned in pomp to the grave!

Dead and forgotten in less than a day Save by Pomona, my mistress and slave Sold unto Herod! ... Oh, she had a way,

Turn of the head and glance of the eye!

Touch of the hand and a fall of the feet!

Voice that was coo of the dove and a cry Heard in the night when the seraphim meet!

Sometimes I fancy Gehenna's abyss Gleams with a light that is love; and I feel Lips on my lips in the tenderest kiss, Making h.e.l.l heaven: as though the appeal

Sent from my soul to Pomona had gained Heart and the whole of her throned on a star, Where for an son of bliss she hath reigned Lonely for Dives so lost and afar!

Lazarus! Nearer! The light on thy face Shines through the dark! Oh, what glory is thine!

Nay, not too near lest thou see my disgrace Naked! behold bruised the image divine!

Lazarus! Pity! Pursue not my soul Down the last gulf! I am fearful of thee-- Not of Jehovah, Whose thunders may roll Over my head--Have thou pity on me!

This have I learned in the torment of h.e.l.l: Man is the judge of the soul that hath sin; Man must raise man from the depths where he fell, Hurled by the hand of his pa.s.sion. Begin,

Lazarus, Lord of the light and the dark; Stand on the cloud that hath bridged the abyss, Judging my cause; for my spirit is stark Under thy glance in abandon of bliss!

Yea, there is joy in the judgment; a peace I have not known in an aeon of pain; Joy in the thought that thy love will not cease Till it hath cleansed all my spirit from stain.

Therefore I hail thee, O Lazarus! cry: "Hail to the love that restoreth the years The locusts have eaten! Search me and try The thought of my heart and the tale of my tears!"

Try me and prove me; for I am undone, Conquered by love of a love that hath sought Me unto h.e.l.l! Thou hast triumphed and won, Lazarus, who for my spirit hath fought.

Yield I the trophies of battle; lay down All of the pride and the hatred of heart; Weeping I give thee my sceptre and crown; Nothing I claim; not a t.i.the, not a part!

Lazarus, art thou the same that I saw Begging for crumbs? Thou hast changed, thou hast changed!

Through what dominions of wonder and awe, Beauty and joy, hast thou ranged, hast thou ranged?

Kingly and glorious, mantled with flame, Lo! in thyself the Messias I see.

Lazarus, thou and the Christ art the same, Thou art the Christ and the Master of me--

Thou art Messias! ... And this Paradise! ...

There is Pomona! ... There Mother who gave Breast to her babe! ... From Gehenna I rise Cleansed by a love that is mighty to save!

Light, and the sound of a song that is love!

Light, and the freedom of spirit to soar!

Light, and Messias enthroned above High where the seraphim bow and adore!

SONNETS AND SONGS

FELLOW CRAFTSMEN

As in some workshop where the hammers ring And bare-armed artizans toil, blow on blow, To make each, crude, imperfect member grow To the completed plan, rise thou, and fling Aside all doubt and languor; strive to bring The deed up to its best; in gladness go Undaunted; have full confidence; and know Thou and thy G.o.d can perfect everything!

Throughout the busy day He works with us And knows that we are tired; He hears and feels The grind of every cog, the plaint, the fuss, The purr of pinions in the thousand wheels That whir forever down the endless walls, Where, as we toil, His light perpetual falls.

POSCA

The light within the sky was growing dim.

Death-white, a thorn-crowned face looked from a cross And watched with dying eyes the soldiers toss Dice for the seamless robe they stripped from Him; And of that number there was one who first Was touched with pity for Him hanging there, And ran a sponge of vinegar to bear, When in His anguish Jesus said: "I thirst!"

O nameless soldier of the long ago, Yours was the doing of a deathless deed; Who braved the people pa.s.sing to and fro, And gave to Christ the sponge upon a reed The while His own disciples standing near, Dismayed, moved not to help Him in their fear.

REINCARNATION

I saw three souls before a jasper throne That stood, star-canopied, beyond the world Where angels knelt before a Presence--furled White wings and waited. In vast undertone A Voice said: "Choose!" And instantly were shown Three chalices: one like a lily curled About a stem of gold; one was empearled In silver; one was carved from common stone.

I saw three souls sink swiftly back to earth; I heard three children wailing in the night; I met three men of diverse rank and birth: A king; a priest; a slave whose wretched plight Moved me to pity, till mine ancient dream Recalled the proverb: "Things are not what they seem!"

JACOB'S DREAM

Lonely and worn by day's dull toil and heat, Life lay before me stark, and dead, and drear; Night had engulfed the desert, and a fear Was on me as of slow, resistless feet Of foes invisible, from whom retreat Denied me respite! I knew the moment near-- Jehovah's hand uplifted, and His spear Down-glancing through the dark my heart to meet;

And as I crouched to take the stroke that fell Swift from the sky, a cloud of cherubim Burst on my vision with a mighty song That filled the wilderness, as though a bell Chimed from afar. Then someone said: "Be strong, Son of the Highest! Find thyself in Him!"