Some Verses Part 1

Some Verses.

by Helen Hay.

SONNETS

THE DAYS

A long grim corridor--a sullen bar Of light athwart the darkness--where no fleet Pale sunshine spreads for dark his winding sheet A light, not born of noon nor placid star Glows lurid thro' the gloom--while from afar, Beats marching of innumerable feet.

Is this the place where tragic armies meet?

The throb of terror that presages war?-- I strain to see, then softly on my sight There falls the vision, manifold they come-- White listless Day chained to her brother Night-- Their hands are shackled and their lips are dumb, And as they meet the air where each one dies, They turn and smile at me--with weary eyes.

THE EVERLASTING SNOWS

And shall it be that these undaunted snows That poise so lightly on the mountains' crest-- A lily laid to cheer its lonely breast-- Shall their chill smile still face the wind, that blows Across the field whereon no blossom grows, And light the land where no gay life may rest Save glowing hasty fingers of the West, When our two hearts lie cold beneath the rose?

These silver flakes of ancient h.o.a.ry frost, Surviving all our joys' supremest powers, And though the petals of your lips be lost And gone the summer of your golden head, This pale eternal growth of winter's flowers Shall still live on--though our sweet love be dead.

THRONE AND ALTAR

He had a vision of a golden throne Fronting an altar; both alike were bare, But o'er the purple of the regal chair Blazed the device, "I wait for him alone Who with the world has held his soul his own."

He sadly turned, this height he could not dare.

But--Stay--the text upon the altar there-- "I wait for him who has not made a moan Howe'er his kind have used his heaven-sent dower.

Fear not, and burn thine incense, lowly heart."

And sudden brightness turns the averted face, To holy sense of majesty and power-- And a voice:--"Master--this indeed thou art."

Wondrous music trembles thro' the s.p.a.ce.

EAST AND WEST

You have not ceased for me. Though stern-browed Fate Laid our two paths apart; when in the West She gave you over to the seas, and great Wide winds of enterprise, and set your breast Against the suns and shadows of the earth; Then with a gilded largess, led my ways Toward the time-worn East, who paints her dearth With purple vain imaginings; the praise Of all her languid incense and the pride Of ancient mysteries and hopeless creeds Hold for my heart no spell when warm and wide I see across the blue of Isis' veil The thunderous breakers of your ocean pale And glints of prairie sun through river reeds.

THE BATTLE

The pallid waves caress the paler sand, Falter and tremble, then reluctant wane, Fearing advance, yet venturing again.

Grey deep sea waves that never knew the land, Tired with the tumult, stretch a crooked hand To win a precious sweet surcease from pain, But, glancing back upon the mighty main, Perforce return to swell the strong command.

So fretful Life sees Death's cold sands and faints To fling thereon the wearing of her wave, Yet, turning ere she finds the gloomy sh.o.r.e, Seeing ahead the idle senseless grave, Behind--the Kings, the Patriots and the Saints, She sighing turns to face the fight once more.

WATER AND WINE

I asked for water and they brought me wine; Wine in a jewelled chalice, where the gold Gleamed thro' the purple beads, as if unrolled-- One saw the sun-rays of a life-time shine.

So drinking, I forgot my dream divine Of crystal purity, for in my hold Were wealth and Fame and Pa.s.sions manifold Which with the draught I fancied might be mine.

"Ah, Youth," I said, "Ah, Faith and Love!" I said; "These are but broken lances in the strife!

What shall remain when all these things are sped?"

Then crashed the dream. I clutched the hand of Fate Amid the ruins of my shattered life, And found the G.o.ds had cheated, all too late.

PITY ME NOT!

Cruel and fair! within thy hollowed hand My heart is lying as a little rose, So faint and faded, scarce could one suppose It might look in thine eyes and understand The song they sing unto a weary land, Making it radiant, yet because I dare, To love thee, being weak, lose not thine air Of pa.s.sive distance, fateful and most grand.

Pity me not, nor turn away awhile Till absence's cloud has caught my pa.s.sion up.

Ah, be not kind! for love's sake, be not kind!

Grant me the tragic deepness of the cup, And when thine eyes have flashed and made me blind, Kill me beneath the shadow of thy smile.

A DREAM IN FEVER

A vast screen of unequal downward lines, An orange purple halo 'round the rain, Twists from a s.p.a.ce whose very size is pain.

Here in this vortex day with night combines; Ruby and Emerald glint their blazing spines; Closing and smothering, wheels a brazen main, A shuddering sea of silence; in its train A Thought--a cry, whose snake--fear trembling twines Around--above--alive yet uttered not; But my heart hears--and shrieking dies of dread, Then soaring breaks its bands and o'er the rim White winged it rends the dark with jagged blot, Glimpsing the iris gateway barred ahead, And, gazing thro', the eyes of cherubim.

A WOMAN'S PRIDE

I will not look for him--I will not hear My heart's loud beating, as I strain to see Across the rain forlorn and hopelessly, Nor starting, think 'tis he that draws so near.

I will forget how tenderly and dear He might in coming hold his arms to me, For I will prove what woman's pride can be When faint love lingers in the darkness drear.