Time's Laughingstocks, and Other Verses Part 17

I said, "to care for you, be Reconciled; And cherish, and take interest in the child."

Without more words I pressed him Through the door Within which she stood, powerless To say more, And closed it on them, and downstairward bore.

"He joins his wife--my sister,"

I, below, Remarked in going--lightly - Even as though All had come right, and we had arranged it so . . .

As I, my road retracing, Left them free, The night alone embracing Childless me, I held I had not stirred G.o.d wrothfully.

THE ROMAN ROAD

The Roman Road runs straight and bare As the pale parting-line in hair Across the heath. And thoughtful men Contrast its days of Now and Then, And delve, and measure, and compare;

Visioning on the vacant air Helmed legionaries, who proudly rear The Eagle, as they pace again The Roman Road.

But no tall bra.s.s-helmed legionnaire Haunts it for me. Uprises there A mother's form upon my ken, Guiding my infant steps, as when We walked that ancient thoroughfare, The Roman Road.

THE VAMPIRINE FAIR

Gilbert had sailed to India's sh.o.r.e, And I was all alone: My lord came in at my open door And said, "O fairest one!"

He leant upon the slant bureau, And sighed, "I am sick for thee!"

"My lord," said I, "pray speak not so, Since wedded wife I be."

Leaning upon the slant bureau, Bitter his next words came: "So much I know; and likewise know My love burns on the same!

"But since you thrust my love away, And since it knows no cure, I must live out as best I may The ache that I endure."

When Michaelmas browned the nether Coomb, And Wingreen Hill above, And made the hollyhocks rags of bloom, My lord grew ill of love.

My lord grew ill with love for me; Gilbert was far from port; And--so it was--that time did see Me housed at Manor Court.

About the bowers of Manor Court The primrose pushed its head When, on a day at last, report Arrived of him I had wed.

"Gilbert, my lord, is homeward bound, His sloop is drawing near, What shall I do when I am found Not in his house but here?"

"O I will heal the injuries I've done to him and thee.

I'll give him means to live at ease Afar from Shas...o...b..ry."

When Gilbert came we both took thought: "Since comfort and good cheer,"

Said he, "So readily are bought, He's welcome to thee, Dear."

So when my lord flung liberally His gold in Gilbert's hands, I coaxed and got my brothers three Made stewards of his lands.

And then I coaxed him to install My other kith and kin, With aim to benefit them all Before his love ran thin.

And next I craved to be possessed Of plate and jewels rare.

He groaned: "You give me, Love, no rest, Take all the law will spare!"

And so in course of years my wealth Became a goodly h.o.a.rd, My steward brethren, too, by stealth Had each a fortune stored.

Thereafter in the gloom he'd walk, And by and by began To say aloud in absent talk, "I am a ruined man! -

"I hardly could have thought," he said, "When first I looked on thee, That one so soft, so rosy red, Could thus have beggared me!"

Seeing his fair estates in p.a.w.n, And him in such decline, I knew that his domain had gone To lift up me and mine.

Next month upon a Sunday morn A gunshot sounded nigh: By his own hand my lordly born Had doomed himself to die.

"Live, my dear lord, and much of thine Shall be restored to thee!"

He smiled, and said 'twixt word and sign, "Alas--that cannot be!"

And while I searched his cabinet For letters, keys, or will, 'Twas touching that his gaze was set With love upon me still.

And when I burnt each doc.u.ment Before his dying eyes, 'Twas sweet that he did not resent My fear of compromise.

The steeple-c.o.c.k gleamed golden when I watched his spirit go: And I became repentant then That I had wrecked him so.

Three weeks at least had come and gone, With many a saddened word, Before I wrote to Gilbert on The stroke that so had stirred.

And having worn a mournful gown, I joined, in decent while, My husband at a dashing town To live in dashing style.

Yet though I now enjoy my fling, And dine and dance and drive, I'd give my prettiest emerald ring To see my lord alive.

And when the meet on hunting-days Is near his churchyard home, I leave my bantering beaux to place A flower upon his tomb;

And sometimes say: "Perhaps too late The saints in Heaven deplore That tender time when, moved by Fate, He darked my cottage door."

THE REMINDER

I

While I watch the Christmas blaze Paint the room with ruddy rays, Something makes my vision glide To the frosty scene outside.

There, to reach a rotting berry, Toils a thrush,--constrained to very Dregs of food by sharp distress, Taking such with thankfulness.

Why, O starving bird, when I One day's joy would justify, And put misery out of view, Do you make me notice you!