Choriambics I
Ah! not now, when desire burns, and the wind calls, and
the suns of spring
Light-foot dance in the woods,
whisper of life, woo me
to wayfaring;
Ah! not now should you come, now when the road
beckons, and
good friends call,
Where are songs to be sung, fights to be fought, yea! and
the best of all,
Love, on myriad
lips fairer than yours, kisses you could
not give! . . .
Dearest, why should I mourn, whimper, and whine,
I
that have yet to live?
Sorrow will I forget, tears for the best, love on the lips
of you,
Now, when dawn in
the blood wakes, and the sun laughs
up the eastern blue;
I'll forget and be glad!
Only at length, dear,
when the great day ends,
When love dies with the last light, and the last song has
been sung, and friends
All
are perished, and gloom strides on the heaven: then,
as alone I lie,
'Mid Death's gathering winds, frightened
and dumb, sick
for the past, may I
Feel you suddenly there, cool at my brow; then may I
hear the peace
Of
your voice at the last, whispering love, calling,
ere all can cease
In the silence of death; then may I see
dimly, and know,
a space,
Bending over me, last light in the dark, once, as of old,
your face.