Myth and Romance Part 11

When the howl of the hound comes over the hill, At twelve o'clock when the night is ill, And the thunder mutters and forests sob, And the fox-fire glows like the lamp of a Lob; And under the willows, that gloom and glance, The will-o'-the-wisps hold a devils' dance; They say that that crime is re-acted again, And each cranny and c.h.i.n.k of the mill doth wink With the light o' h.e.l.l or the lightning's blink, And a woman's shrieks come wild through the rain: When the howl of the hound comes over the hill, That murder returns to the rotting mill.

_Dolce far Niente_

I

Over the bay as our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine, Far to the East lay the ocean paling Under the skies of Augustine.-- There, in the boat as we sat together, Soft in the glow of the turquoise weather, Light as the foam or a seagull's feather, Fair of form and of face serene, Sweet at my side I felt you lean, As over the bay our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine.

II

Over the bay as our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine, Pine and palm, to the West, hung, trailing Under the skies of Augustine.-- Was it the wind that sighed above you?

Was it the wave that whispered of you?

Was it my soul that said "I love you"?

Was it your heart that murmured between, Answering, shy as a bird unseen?

As over the bay our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine.

III

Over the bay as our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine, Gray and low flew the heron wailing Under the skies of Augustine.-- Naught was spoken. We watched the simple Gulls wing past. Your hat's white wimple Shadowed your eyes. And your lips, a-dimple, Smiled and seemed from your soul to wean An inner beauty, an added sheen, As over the bay our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine.

IV

Over the bay as our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine, Red on the marshes the day flared, failing Under the skies of Augustine.-- Was it your thought, or the transitory Gold of the West, like a dreamy story, Bright on your brow, that I read? the glory And grace of love, like a rose-crowned queen Pictured pensive in mind and mien?

As over the bay our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine.

V

Over the bay as our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine, Wan on the waters the mist lay veiling Under the skies of Augustine.-- Was it the joy that begot the sorrow?-- Joy that was filled with the dreams that borrow Prescience sad of a far To-morrow,-- There in the Now that was all too keen, That shadowed the fate that might intervene?

As over the bay our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine.

VI

Over the bay as our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine, The marsh-hen cried and the tide was ailing Under the skies of Augustine.-- And so we parted. No vows were spoken.

No faith was plighted that might be broken.

But deep in our hearts each bore a token Of life and of love and of all they mean, Beautiful, thornless and ever green, As over the bay our boat went sailing Under the skies of Augustine.

_St. Augustine, Fla_.

_Words_

I cannot tell what I would tell thee, What I would say, what thou shouldst hear: Words of the soul that should compell thee, Words of the heart to draw thee near.

For when thou smilest, thou, who fillest My life with joy, and I would speak, 'T is then my lips and tongue are stillest, Knowing all language is too weak.

Look in my eyes: read there confession: The truest love has least of art: Nor needs it words for its expression When soul speaks soul and heart speaks heart.

_Reasons_

I

Yea, why I love thee let my heart repeat: I look upon thy face and then divine How men could die for beauty, such as thine,-- Deeming it sweet To lay my life and manhood at thy feet, And for a word, a glance, Do deeds of old romance.

II

Yea, why I love thee let my heart unfold: I look into thy heart and then I know The wondrous poetry of the long-ago, The Age of Gold, That speaks strange music, that is old, so old, Yet young, as when 't was born, With all the youth of morn.

III

Yea, why I love thee let my heart conclude: I look into thy soul and realize The undiscovered meaning of the skies,-- That long have wooed The world with far ideals that elude,-- Out of whose dreams, maybe, G.o.d shapes reality.

_Evasion_

Why do I love you, who have never given My heart encouragement or any cause?

Is it because, as earth is held of heaven, Your soul holds mine by some mysterious laws?

Perhaps, unseen of me, within your eyes The answer lies, the answer lies.

II