DRAWING NEAR THE LIGHT

Lo, when we wade the tangled wood,
In haste and hurry to be there,
Nought seem its leaves and blossoms good,
For all that they be fashioned fair.

But looking up, at last we see
The glimmer of the open light,
From o’er the place where we would be: 
Then grow the very brambles bright.

So now, amidst our day of strife,
With many a matter glad we play,
When once we see the light of life
Gleam through the tangle of to-day.

VERSES FOR PICTURES

DAY

I am Day; I bring again
Life and glory, Love and pain: 
Awake, arise! from death to death
Through me the World’s tale quickeneth.

SPRING

Spring am I, too soft of heart
Much to speak ere I depart: 
Ask the Summer-tide to prove
The abundance of my love.

SUMMER

Summer looked for long am I;
Much shall change or e’er I die. 
Prithee take it not amiss
Though I weary thee with bliss.

AUTUMN

Laden Autumn here I stand
Worn of heart, and weak of hand: 
Nought but rest seems good to me,
Speak the word that sets me free.

WINTER

I am Winter, that do keep
Longing safe amidst of sleep: 
Who shall say if I were dead
What should be remembered?

NIGHT

I am Night:  I bring again
Hope of pleasure, rest from pain: 
Thoughts unsaid ’twixt Life and Death
My fruitful silence quickeneth.

FOR THE BRIAR ROSE

THE BRIARWOOD

The fateful slumber floats and flows
About the tangle of the rose;
But lo! the fated hand and heart
To rend the slumberous curse apart!

THE COUNCIL ROOM

The threat of war, the hope of peace,
The Kingdom’s peril and increase
Sleep on, and bide the latter day,
When Fate shall take her chain away.

THE GARDEN COURT

The maiden pleasance of the land
Knoweth no stir of voice or hand,
No cup the sleeping waters fill,
The restless shuttle lieth still.

THE ROSEBOWER

Here lies the hoarded love, the key
To all the treasure that shall be;
Come fated hand the gift to take,
And smite this sleeping world awake.

ANOTHER FOR THE BRIAR ROSE

O treacherous scent, O thorny sight,
O tangle of world’s wrong and right,
What art thou ’gainst my armour’s gleam
But dusky cobwebs of a dream?