Passionate-hearted youth, and passionate youth;

26

Faltering before her innocent gaze, he cried,

"Dare I adore?" so crystal clear she seemed

A silver dewdrop in the rose of dawn.

And Taka, trembling: "How can he be mine,

So strong, so fair, a god with heart of flame!"

And so they strove against their hearts and lived

Long lives of hope and fear and love's sweet pain

Within a heart-beat. But the time was near!

There in mid-forest, rimmed with leaves jade green,

All singing in the sun,—as deep and brown

As Taka's eyes,—the pool disclosed itself.

Across the clear light of the morning, showers

Of fiery jewels shone against the trees,—

Rubies, bright sapphires, purple amethyst,

27

Topaz, fierce opal, grass-green emeralds

Flitting and darting;—were they only birds!

Flower made bird or bird made flower, they seemed

 Prev. P 22/48 next