Cambridge Poets 1900–1913

A . V . Ratcliffe . The war was weary and ended not, And the news was sparse and vague and sad, " Oh what is the fate of my handsome lad , And what of his heart so wild and hot, And what of his lips so mad ? " “ What of the fate of my lad whose song Was all for love , and for joy of love ; Whose vows in the gold of my hair were wove , As his nesting arms grew sweet and strong , And the starlight swam above ? " Nay , lovely lass , with thy proud gold hair , Nay , lovely lass , so love forlorn , Who standest with thy heart shred - torn , And lean ' st thy gaze on the grim hills there ; The sad grim hills of morn . Nay , lovely lass ,' tis well ,' tis well , Upon the third wan winter 's noon , That thou goest listless by the dune , And deep into the forest dell , And moanest for thy tune . Oh match thee with the birchen bark , And let thy feet touch dead , dead leaves , And gaze thou in yon stream that grieves , To see thine eyes so sad , so dark , And thine hair like golden sheaves . 164