THE FAREWELL OF CLARIMONDE.

     (Suggested by the “Clarimonde” OF Theophile Gautier.)

     Adieu, Romauld!  But thou canst not forget me. 
       Although no more I haunt thy dreams at night,
     Thy hungering heart forever must regret me,
       And starve for those lost moments of delight.

     Naught shall avail thy priestly rites and duties,
       Nor fears of Hell, nor hopes of Heaven beyond: 
     Before the Cross shall rise my fair form’s beauties—–­
       The lips, the limbs, the eyes of Clarimonde.

     Like gall the wine sipped from the sacred chalice
       Shall taste to one who knew my red mouth’s bliss,
     When Youth and Beauty dwelt in Love’s own palace,
       And life flowed on in one eternal kiss.

     Through what strange ways I come, dear heart, to reach thee,
       From viewless lands, by paths no man e’er trod! 
     I braved all fears, all dangers dared, to teach thee
       A love more mighty than thy love of God.

     Think not in all His Kingdom to discover
       Such joys, Romauld, as ours, when fierce yet fond
     I clasped thee—­kissed thee—­crowned thee my one lover: 
       Thou canst not find another Clarimonde.

     I knew all arts of love:  he who possessed me
       Possessed all women, and could never tire;
     A new life dawned for him who once caressed me;
       Satiety itself I set on fire.

     Inconstancy I chained:  men died to win me;
       Kings cast by crowns for one hour on my breast: 
     And all the passionate tide of love within me
       I gave to thee, Romauld.  Wert thou not blest?

     Yet, for the love of God, thy hand hath riven
       Our welded souls.  But not in prayer well conned,
     Not in thy dearly-purchased peace of Heaven,
       Canst thou forget those hours with Clarimonde.

     [Illustration:]

     THE TRIO.

     We love but once.  The great gold orb of light
       From dawn to even-tide doth cast his ray;
     But the full splendor of his perfect might
       Is reached but once throughout the livelong day.

     We love but once.  The waves, with ceaseless motion,
       Do day and night plash on the pebbled shore;
     But the strong tide of the resistless ocean
       Sweeps in but one hour of the twenty-four.

     We love but once.  A score of times, perchance,
       We may be moved in fancy’s fleeting fashion—­
     May treasure up a word, a tone, a glance;
       But only once we feel the soul’s great passion.

     We love but once.  Love walks with death and birth
       (The saddest, the unkindest of the three);
     And only once while we sojourn on earth
       Can that strange trio come to you or me.

     [Illustration:]