Collected Works (Vol. III)

LOVE-SONGS 61 ‘*From Wastdale Head to Kirkstone Pass There’s ne’er a lass like Kate : ’— The gentle child looked up and smiled And kissed me frank and straight. The night was dark, the stars were few :— Should love need moon or star? Let him decide who wins a bride The peer of Katie Carr. X. NORAH. NorAH, my wee shy child of wonderment, You are sweeter than a swallow-song at dusk ! You are braver than a lark that soars and tfills His lofty laughter of love to a hundred hills ! You lie like a sweet nut within the husk Of my big arms ; and uttermost content I have of you, my tiny fairy, eh? Do you live in a flower, I wonder, and sleep and pray To the good God to send you dew at dawn And rain in rain’s soft season, and sun betimes, And all the gladness of the afterglow When you come shyly out of the folded bud, Unsheath your dainty soul, bathe it in blood Of my heart? Do you love me? Do you know How I love you? twittering rhymes I string you? Is your tiny life withdrawn Into its cup for modesty when I sing So softly to you and hold you in my hands, Do you love these You wild, wee wonder of wisdom? Now I bring My lips to your body and touch you reverently, Knowing as I know what Gabriel under- stands When he spreads his wings above for canopy When you would sleep, you frail angelic thing Like a tiny snowdrop in its own life curled— But oh! the biggest heart in all the world! XI. MARY. Mary, Mary, subtle and softly breathing, Look once eager out of the eyes upon me, Draw one sigh, resign and abide in maiden Beauty for ever ! Love me, love me, love me as I desire it, Strong sweet draughts not drawn of a well of passion, Truth’s bright crystal, shimmering out of sunlight Into the moon-dawn. Closer cling, thou heart of amazed rapture, Cords of starlight fashioned about thee net- wise, Tendrils woven of gossamer twist about us ! These be the binders ! Night winds whirl about the avenger city ; Darkness rides on desolate miles of moor- land ; Thou and I, disparted a little, part not Spirit from spirit. Strange and sister songs in the middle ether Grow, divide ; they hover about, above us. We, the song consummate of love, give music Jack to the mortal. Here, my love, a garden of spice and myrtle ; Sunlight shakes the rivers of love with laughter ; Tere, my love, abide, in the amber ages, Lapped in the levin. Linger, linger, light of the blessed moonrise ! Hull-orbed sweep immaculate through the midnight ! Bend above, O sorrowful sister, kiss me Once and for ever!