Poems by Currer, Ellis, and Acton Bell Part 10

REMEMBRANCE.

Cold in the earth--and the deep snow piled above thee, Far, far, removed, cold in the dreary grave!

Have I forgot, my only Love, to love thee, Severed at last by Time's all-severing wave?

Now, when alone, do my thoughts no longer hover Over the mountains, on that northern sh.o.r.e, Resting their wings where heath and fern-leaves cover Thy n.o.ble heart for ever, ever more?

Cold in the earth--and fifteen wild Decembers, From those brown hills, have melted into spring: Faithful, indeed, is the spirit that remembers After such years of change and suffering!

Sweet Love of youth, forgive, if I forget thee, While the world's tide is bearing me along; Other desires and other hopes beset me, Hopes which obscure, but cannot do thee wrong!

No later light has lightened up my heaven, No second morn has ever shone for me; All my life's bliss from thy dear life was given, All my life's bliss is in the grave with thee.

But, when the days of golden dreams had perished, And even Despair was powerless to destroy; Then did I learn how existence could be cherished, Strengthened, and fed without the aid of joy.

Then did I check the tears of useless pa.s.sion-- Weaned my young soul from yearning after thine; Sternly denied its burning wish to hasten Down to that tomb already more than mine.

And, even yet, I dare not let it languish, Dare not indulge in memory's rapturous pain; Once drinking deep of that divinest anguish, How could I seek the empty world again?

A DEATH-SCENE.

"O day! he cannot die When thou so fair art shining!

O Sun, in such a glorious sky, So tranquilly declining;

He cannot leave thee now, While fresh west winds are blowing, And all around his youthful brow Thy cheerful light is glowing!

Edward, awake, awake-- The golden evening gleams Warm and bright on Arden's lake-- Arouse thee from thy dreams!

Beside thee, on my knee, My dearest friend, I pray That thou, to cross the eternal sea, Wouldst yet one hour delay:

I hear its billows roar-- I see them foaming high; But no glimpse of a further sh.o.r.e Has blest my straining eye.

Believe not what they urge Of Eden isles beyond; Turn back, from that tempestuous surge, To thy own native land.

It is not death, but pain That struggles in thy breast-- Nay, rally, Edward, rouse again; I cannot let thee rest!"

One long look, that sore reproved me For the woe I could not bear-- One mute look of suffering moved me To repent my useless prayer:

And, with sudden check, the heaving Of distraction pa.s.sed away; Not a sign of further grieving Stirred my soul that awful day.

Paled, at length, the sweet sun setting; Sunk to peace the twilight breeze: Summer dews fell softly, wetting Glen, and glade, and silent trees.

Then his eyes began to weary, Weighed beneath a mortal sleep; And their orbs grew strangely dreary, Clouded, even as they would weep.

But they wept not, but they changed not, Never moved, and never closed; Troubled still, and still they ranged not-- Wandered not, nor yet reposed!

So I knew that he was dying-- Stooped, and raised his languid head; Felt no breath, and heard no sighing, So I knew that he was dead.

SONG.

The linnet in the rocky dells, The moor-lark in the air, The bee among the heather bells That hide my lady fair:

The wild deer browse above her breast; The wild birds raise their brood; And they, her smiles of love caressed, Have left her solitude!

I ween, that when the grave's dark wall Did first her form retain, They thought their hearts could ne'er recall The light of joy again.

They thought the tide of grief would flow Unchecked through future years; But where is all their anguish now, And where are all their tears?

Well, let them fight for honour's breath, Or pleasure's shade pursue-- The dweller in the land of death Is changed and careless too.

And, if their eyes should watch and weep Till sorrow's source were dry, She would not, in her tranquil sleep, Return a single sigh!

Blow, west-wind, by the lonely mound, And murmur, summer-streams-- There is no need of other sound To soothe my lady's dreams.

ANTIc.i.p.aTION.

How beautiful the earth is still, To thee--how full of happiness?

How little fraught with real ill, Or unreal phantoms of distress!

How spring can bring thee glory, yet, And summer win thee to forget December's sullen time!

Why dost thou hold the treasure fast, Of youth's delight, when youth is past, And thou art near thy prime?

When those who were thy own compeers, Equals in fortune and in years, Have seen their morning melt in tears, To clouded, smileless day; Blest, had they died untried and young, Before their hearts went wandering wrong,-- Poor slaves, subdued by pa.s.sions strong, A weak and helpless prey!

'Because, I hoped while they enjoyed, And by fulfilment, hope destroyed; As children hope, with trustful breast, I waited bliss--and cherished rest.

A thoughtful spirit taught me soon, That we must long till life be done; That every phase of earthly joy Must always fade, and always cloy:

'This I foresaw--and would not chase The fleeting treacheries; But, with firm foot and tranquil face, Held backward from that tempting race, Gazed o'er the sands the waves efface, To the enduring seas-- There cast my anchor of desire Deep in unknown eternity; Nor ever let my spirit tire, With looking for WHAT IS TO BE!

"It is hope's spell that glorifies, Like youth, to my maturer eyes, All Nature's million mysteries, The fearful and the fair-- Hope soothes me in the griefs I know; She lulls my pain for others' woe, And makes me strong to undergo What I am born to bear.

Glad comforter! will I not brave, Unawed, the darkness of the grave?

Nay, smile to hear Death's billows rave-- Sustained, my guide, by thee?

The more unjust seems present fate, The more my spirit swells elate, Strong, in thy strength, to antic.i.p.ate Rewarding destiny!

THE PRISONER.

A FRAGMENT.