LYRICAL AND DRAMATIC. 135.
Of crystals for his garland,
Are fled beyond the starland
On wings beyond sound and sight.
Only desire remaineth
That death’s bright chalice draineth
Of blood-red wine that staineth
The brow of love with light.
World in thy music fadeth
To what is scarce a sleep,
Life’s darkest shadow shadeth
Memories that chide and weep,
Only delights grow clearer,
More exquisite and nearer,
And new life-arteries leap
To fresh loves, into being,
From blindness into seeing,
Beyond God’s mountains steep.
The words of promise spoken
Flourish and flower unbroken,
And for His holy token
The mirror of the deep.
Sing on, thou lyric lover,
Sing on, and thrill me long
With such delights as cover
The days and deeds of wrong.
Live lyre of songs immortal
That pierce Heaven’s fiery portal —
With shafts of splendour strong,