Once I saw thee idly rocking —Idly rocking— And chattering girlishly to other girls, Bell-voiced, happy, Careless with the stout heart of unscarred womanhood, And life to thee was all light melody. I thought of the great storms of love as I knew it, Torn, miserable, and ashamed of my open sorrow, I thought of the thunders that lived in my head, And I wish to be an ogre, And hale and haul my beloved to a castle, And make her mourn with my mourning.

 

 

 

 

Tell me why, behind thee, I see always the shadow of another lover? Is it real, Or is this the thrice damned memory of a better happiness? Plague on him if he be dead, Plague on him if he be alive— A swinish numskull To intrude his shade Always between me and my peace!

 

 

 

 

 

And yet I have seen thee happy with me. I am no fool To poll stupidly into iron. I have heard your quick breaths And seen your arms writhe toward me; At those times —God help us— I was impelled to be a grand knight, And swagger and snap my fingers, And explain my mind finely. Oh, lost sweetheart, I would that I had not been a grand knight. I said: “Sweetheart.” Thou said'st: “Sweetheart.” And we preserved an admirable mimicry Without heeding the drip of the blood From my heart.

 

 

 

 

I heard thee laugh, And in this merriment I defined the measure of my pain; I knew that I was alone, Alone with love, Poor shivering love, And he, little sprite, Came to watch with me, And at midnight, We were like two creatures by a dead camp-      fire.

 Prev. P 13/14 next