legends and lyrics - second series(传奇和抒情歌谣2)-第11节
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years； And if Mildred's heart was heavy； and at times her blue eyes
glistened； Still in thought she would not whisper aught of sorrow or of
fears。
Autumn with its golden corn…fields； autumn with its storms and
showers； Had been there to greet his coming with its forests gold and
brown； And the last leaves still were falling； fading still the year's last
flowers； When he left the quiet village； and took back his bride to town。
Homethe home that she had pictured many a time in twilight；
dwelling On that tender gentle fancy； folded round with loving care； Here
was homethe end； the haven； and what spirit voice seemed telling； That
she only held the casket； with the gem no longer there？
Sad it may be to be longing； with a patience faint and weary； For a
hope deferredand sadder still to see it fade and fall； Yet to grasp the thing
we long for； and； with sorrow sick and dreary； THEN to find how it can
fail us； is the saddest pain of all。
What was wanting？ He was gentle； kind； and generous still；
deferring To her wishes always； nothing seemed to mar their tranquil life：
There are skies so calm and leaden that we long for storm…winds stirring；
There is peace so cold and bitter； that we almost welcome strife。
Darker grew the clouds above her； and the slow conviction clearer；
That he gave her home and pity； but that heart； and soul； and mind Were
beyond her now； he loved her； and in youth he had been near her； But he
now had gone far onward； and had left her there behind。
Yes； beyond her： yes； quick…hearted； her Love helped her in
revealing It was worthless； while so mighty； was too weak； although so
strong； There were courts she could not enter； depths she could not sound；
yet feeling It was vain to strive or struggle； vainer still to mourn or long。
He would give her words of kindness； he would talk of home； but
seeming With an absent look； forgetting if he held or dropped her hand；
And then turn with eager pleasure to his writing； reading； dreaming； Or to
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
speak of things with others that she could not understand。
He had paid； and paid most nobly； all he owed； no need of blaming； It
had cost him something； may be； that no future could restore： In her heart
of hearts she knew it； Love and Sorrow； not complaining； Only suffered all
the deeper； only loved him all the more。
Sometimes then a stronger anguish； and more cruel； weighed upon her；
That through all those years of waiting； he had slowly learnt the truth； He
had known himself mistaken； but that； bound to her in honour； He
renounced his life； to pay her for the patience of her youth。
But a star was slowly rising from that mist of grief； and brighter Grew
her eyes； for each slow hour surer comfort seemed to bring； And she
watched with strange sad smiling； how her trembling hands grew slighter；
And how thin her slender finger； and how large her wedding…ring。
And the tears dropped slowly on it； as she kissed that golden token
With a deeper love； it may be； than was in the far…off past； And
remembering Philip's fancy； that so long ago was spoken； Thought her
Ring's bright angel guardian had stayed near her to the last。
Grieving sorely； grieving truly； with a tender care and sorrow； Philip
watched the slow； sure fading of his gentle； patient wife； Could he guess
with what a yearning she was longing for the morrow； Could he guess the
bitter knowledge that had wearied her of life？
Now with violets strewn upon her； Mildred lies in peaceful sleeping；
All unbound her long； bright tresses； and her throbbing heart at rest； And
the cold； blue rays of moonlight； through the open casement creeping；
Show the ring upon her finger； and her hands crossed on her breast。
Peace at last。 Of peace eternal is her calm sweet smile a token。 Has
some angel lingering near her let a radiant promise fall？ Has he told her
Heaven unites again the links that Earth has broken？ For on Earth so much
is needed； but in Heaven Love is all！
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： BORROWED
THOUGHTS
I。 FROM 〃LAVATER。〃
Trust him little who doth raise To one height both great and small； And
sets the sacred crown of praise； Smiling； on the head of all。
Trust him less who looks around To censure all with scornful eyes；
And in everything has found Something that he dare despise。
But for one who stands apart； Stirred by nought that can befall； With a
cold indifferent heart； … Trust him least and last of all。
II。 FROM 〃PHANTASTES。〃
I have a bitter Thought； a Snake That used to sting my life to pain。 I
strove to cast it far away； But every night and every day It crawled back to
my heart again。
It was in vain to live or strive； To think or sleep； to work or pray； At
last I bade this thine accursed Gnaw at my heart； and do its worst； And so I
let it have its way。
Thus said I； 〃I shall never fall Into a false and dreaming peace； And
then awake； with sudden start； To feel it biting at my heart； For now the
pain can never cease。〃
But I gained more； for I have found That such a snake's envenomed
charm Must always； always find a part； Deep in the centre of my heart；
Which it can never wound or harm。
It is coiled round my heart to…day。 It sleeps at times； this cruel snake；
And while it sleeps it never stings：… Hush！ let us talk of other things； Lest
it should hear me and awake。
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III。 FROM 〃LOST ALICE。〃
Yes； dear； our Love is slain； In the cold grave for evermore it lies；
Never to wake again； Or light our sorrow with its starry eyes； And so
regret is vain。
One hour of pain and dread； We killed our Love； we took its life away
With the false words we said； And so we watch it； since that cruel day；
Silent； and cold； and dead。
We should have seen it shine Long years beside us。 Time and Death
might try To touch that life divine； Whose strength could every other
stroke defy Save only thine and mine。
No longing can restore Our dead again。 Vain are the tears we weep；
And vainly we deplore Our buried Love： its grave lies dark and deep
Between us evermore。
IV。 FROM * * *
Within the kingdom of my Soul I bid you enter； Love； to…day； Submit
my life to your control； And give my Heart up to your sway。
My Past； whose light and life is flown； Shall live through memory for
you still； Take all my Present for your own； And mould my Future to your
will。
One only thought remains apart； And will for ever so remain； There is
one Chamber in my heart Where even you might knock in vain。
A haunted Chamber：… long ago I closed it； and I cast the key Where
deep and bitter waters flow； Into a vast and silent sea。
Dear； it is haunted。 All the rest Is yours； but I have shut that door For
ever now。 'Tis even best That I should enter it no more。
No more。 It is not well to stay With ghosts； their very look would
scare Your joyous； loving smile away … So never try to enter there。
Check； if you love me； all regret That this one thought remains apart：…
Now let us smile； dear； and forget The haunted Chamber in my Heart。
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VERSE： LIGHT AND SHADE
Thou hast done well to kneel and say； 〃Since He who gave can take
away； And bid me suffer； I obey。〃
And also well to tell thy heart That good lies in the bitterest part； And
thou wilt profit by her smart。
But bitter hours come to all： When even truths like these will pall； Sick
hearts for humbler comfort call。
