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We strayed through furrow and corn and grass

We met with many a fence and stile;

And a quickset hedge; which we failed to pass。



At last we came on a road she knew;

She said we were near her father's place。

I heard the steps of the other two;

And my heart stood still for a moment's space。



Then I pleaded; ‘Give me a good…night kiss。'

I have learned; but I did not know in time;

The fruits that hang on the tree of bliss

Are not for cravens who will not climb。



We met all four by the farmyard gate;

We parted laughing; with half a sigh;

And home we went; at a quicker rate;

A shorter journey; my friend and I。



When we reached the house; it was late enough;

And many impertinent things were said;

Of time and distance; and such dull stuff;

But we said little; and went to bed。



We went to bed; but one at least

Went not to sleep till the black turned grey;

And the sun rose up; and the light increased;

And the birds awoke to a summer day。



And sometimes now; when the nights are mild;

And the moon is away; and no stars shine;

I wander out; and I go half…wild;

To think of the kiss which was not mine。



Let great minds laugh at a grief so small;

Let small minds laugh at a fool so great。

Kind maidens; pity me; one and all。

Shy youths; take warning by this my fate。







THE CAGED THRUSH







Alas for the bird who was born to sing!

They have made him a cage; they have clipped his wing;

They have shut him up in a dingy street;

And they praise his singing and call it sweet。

But his heart and his song are saddened and filled

With the woods; and the nest he never will build;

And the wild young dawn coming into the tree;

And the mate that never his mate will be。

And day by day; when his notes are heard

They freshen the streetbut alas for the bird







MIDNIGHT







The air is dark and fragrant

With memories of a shower;

And sanctified with stillness

By this most holy hour。



The leaves forget to whisper

Of soft and secret things;

And every bird is silent;

With folded eyes and wings。



O blessed hour of midnight;

Of sleep and of release;

Thou yieldest to the toiler

The wages of thy peace。



And I; who have not laboured;

Nor borne the heat of noon;

Receive thy tranquil quiet …

An undeserved boon。



Yes; truly God is gracious;

Who makes His sun to shine

Upon the good and evil;

And idle lives like mine。



Upon the just and unjust

He sends His rain to fall;

And gives this hour of blessing

Freely alike to all。







WHERE'S THE USE







Oh; where's the use of having gifts that can't be turned to money?

And where's the use of singing; when there's no one wants to hear?

It may be one or two will say your songs are sweet as honey;

But where's the use of honey; when the loaf of bread is dear?







A MAY…DAY MADRIGAL







The sun shines fair on Tweedside; the river flowing bright;

Your heart is full of pleasure; your eyes are full of light;

Your cheeks are like the morning; your pearls are like the dew;

Or morning and her dew…drops are like your pearls and you。



Because you are a princess; a princess of the land;

You will not turn your lightsome eyes a moment where I stand;

A poor unnoticed poet; a…making of his rhymes;

But I have found a mistress; more fair a thousand times。



‘Tis May; the elfish maiden; the daughter of the Spring;

Upon whose birthday morning the birds delight to sing。

They would not sing one note for you; if you should so command;

Although you are a princess; a princess of the land。







SONG IS NOT DEAD







Song is not dead; although to…day

Men tell us everything is said。

There yet is something left to say;

Song is not dead。



While still the evening sky is red;

While still the morning gold and grey;

While still the autumn leaves are shed;



While still the heart of youth is gay;

And honour crowns the hoary head;

While men and women love and pray

Song is not dead。







A SONG OF TRUCE







Till the tread of marching feet

Through the quiet grass…grown street

Of the little town shall come;

Soldier; rest awhile at home。



While the banners idly hang;

While the bugles do not clang;

While is hushed the clamorous drum;

Soldier; rest awhile at home。



In the breathing…time of Death;

While the sword is in its sheath;

While the cannon's mouth is dumb;

Soldier; rest awhile at home。



Not too long the rest shall be。

Soon enough; to Death and thee;

The assembly call shall come。

Soldier; rest awhile at home。







ONE TEAR







Last night; when at parting

Awhile we did stand;

Suddenly starting;

There fell on my hand



Something that burned it;

Something that shone

In the moon as I turned it;

And then it was gone。



One bright stray jewel …

What made it stray?

Was I cold or cruel;

At the close of day?



Oh; do not cry; lass!

What is crying worth?

There is no lass like my lass

In the whole wide earth。







A LOVER'S CONFESSION







When people tell me they have loved

But once in youth;

I wonder; are they always moved

To speak the truth?



Not that they wilfully deceive:

They fondly cherish

A constancy which they would grieve

To think might perish。



They cherish it until they think

‘Twas always theirs。

So; if the truth they sometimes blink;

‘Tis unawares。



Yet unawares; I must profess;

They do deceive

Themselves; and those who questionless

Their tale believe。



For I have loved; I freely own;

A score of times;

And woven; out of love alone;

A hundred rhymes。



Boys will be fickle。  Yet; when all

Is said and done;

I was not one whom you could call

A flirtnot one



Of those who into three or four

Their hearts divide。

My queens came singly to the door;

Not side by side。



Each; while she reigned; possessed alone

My spirit loyal;

Then left an undisputed throne

To one more royal;



To one more fair in form and face

Sweeter and stronger;

Who filled the throne with truer grace;

And filled it longer。



So; love by love; they came and passed;

These loves of mine;

And each one brighter than the last

Their lights did shine。



Untilbut am I not too free;

Most courteous stranger;

With secrets which belong to me?

There is a danger。



Until; I say; the perfect love;

The last; the best;

Like flame descending from above;

Kindled my breast;



Kindled my breast like ardent flame;

With quenchless glow。

I knew not love until it came;

But now I know。



You smile。  The twenty loves before

Were each in turn;

You say; the final flame that o'er

My soul should burn。



Smile on; my friend。  I will not say

You have no reason;

But if the love I feel to…day

Depart; ‘tis treason!



If this depart; not once again

Will I on paper

Declare the loves that waste and wane;

Like some poor taper。



No; no!  This flame; I cannot doubt;

Despite your laughter;

Will burn till Death shall put it out;

And may be after。







TRAFALGAR SQUARE







These verses have I pilfered like a bee

Out of a letter from my C。 C。 C。

In London; showing what befell him there;

With other things; of interest to me。



One page described a night in open air

He spent last summer in Trafalgar Square;

With men and women who by want are driven

Thither for lodging; when the nights are fair。



No roof there is between their heads and heaven;

No warmth but what by ragged clothes is given;

No comfort but the company of those

Who with despair; like them; have vainly striven。



On benches there uneasily they doze;

Snatching brief morsels of a poor repose;

And if through weariness they might sleep sound;

Their eyes must open almost ere they close。



With even tramp upon the paven ground;

Twice every hour the night patrol comes round

To clear these wretches off; who may not keep

The miserable couches they have found。



Yet the stern shepherds of the poor black sheep

Will soften when they see a woman weep。

There was a mother there who strove in vain;

With sobs; to hush a starving child to sleep。



And through the night which took so long to wane;

He saw sad sufferers relieving pain;

And daughters of iniquity and scorn

Performing deeds which God will not disdain。



There was a girl; forlorn of the forlorn;

Whose dress was white; but draggled; soiled; and torn;

Who wandered like a ghost without a home。

She spoke to him before the day was born。



She; who all night; when spoken to; was dumb;

Earning dislike from most; abuse from some;

Now asked the hour; and when he told her ‘Two;'

Wailed; ‘O my God; will daylight never come?'



Yes; it will come; and change the sky anew

From star…besprinkled black to sunlit blue;

And bri

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