Sonnets and Songs Part 5

_The Apple-Tree_

The apple-tree is white with snow, My heart is empty as the day; The white hours indolently go Graveward, because my love's away.

Months lag, then spring and love's return-- Yet once again I seem to see, Flushed with delight, as kisses burn, White snow upon the apple-tree.

VI

_Silver and Rose_

Pale as a petulant star, She held up her face to his love; Her spirit from his dwelt afar As the sky from the sea is above.

Yet he gazed till her whiteness was rose, Dawn bright with the morning above-- As the sea from the sky wakes and glows, So his image was mirrored in love.

VII

_To-Morrow_

To-morrow and to-morrow--shall there be Perchance a morrow when I may not see Your face beside me any more? Ah, no!

My love, my love, I cannot let you go.

Like sun in Egypt, ever kind and fair, My heart must wake at dawn and know you there-- No dread of day which holds a weeping rain, No dread of chilly love and bitter pain, But ever present, ever wise and true, To-morrow and to-morrow holding you.

VIII

_The Greater Joy_

Not that young Joy who looked with laughing eyes, That jocund sprite with open, idle fingers Stretched to the dawn, the dawn whose gold light lingers Across the far blue hills of Paradise.

Not that young Joy, but one courageous, calm, Who--pa.s.sed beyond the quiet morning meadows Beyond the dawn of life's delicious shadows-- Holds the great sun and moon in either palm.

In her wise heart she takes that little Joy, Kisses to sleep tired eyes with laughter over, Pointing to greater joys in heights above her-- This shall be ours whom fate would fain destroy.

IX

_The Rose-Colored Camelia-Tree_

Stained by the ardent silver of the stars, Glitter the leaves, a challenge to the day-- The bright, fierce flame of naked scimitars Holds still the argent night, folded away.

Challenging day, yet, lovelier than light, Blushing with dawn the flick'ring leaves between, Burn the rose blossoms, traitors to the night-- Color of joy upon the tranquil green.

Brave to the amorous sun, who, fearing, grieves, At last the tree's whole heart with love is crowned-- The rose-red flowers warm against the leaves, The rose-red petals sweet against the ground.

X

_Good-Bye Sorrow_

Day that began with a tear, Will you end with a sigh?

Stay! See the blossoming year, Laugh up to the sky.

Nay, here's a hope for your fear, Sweet sorrow--good-bye!

XI

_In Harbor_

My little boat is in a bay, It swings with gentle motion, And there I lie and watch all day The far-off, noisy ocean.

The ships go up, the ships go down, And never see me spying.

They are the pride and fear of town-- Sails wide and colors flying.

They are so strong, they are so tall, They fear no storm, no sorrow; With brave eyes to the sun, they all Set sail for some to-morrow.

Sometimes I long to range and roam, My harbor life bewailing, But little boats must bide at home, To gayly speed the sailing.

XII

_Rosa Mundi_

O life that flowered at the very top of the tree, Redder than all the roses out of the South, This was the blossom colored and wrought for me, Sweeter than scarlet bloom of a maiden's mouth.

Fain would I climb, and fain would I reach the flower.

Ah, but the tree was tall as the flower was fair!