Nocturnes

THE golden-lipped buttercup of the Day,
Filled with nectar-dew to the brim,
Closes its petals and sleeps; all grey,
Ripples the sea at the dark world's rim ;
And the night-hawks whir,
And the elm trees stir
Against the apricot-glow grown dim.

Now wist I, my soul has flown away free
As bird let loose from the fowler's snare;
I only long for the star-lit sea—
O for the waves low plashing there !
When the night-hawks whir,
And the dark trees stir,
And blue dusk follows the hot day's glare.

The grey, gaunt rock where the sea-shell clings,
And the rain that ripples the tidal pool,
And the wood where the yellow-hammer sings—
Thoughts like these are quiet and cool ;
But to think of thee
Would bring misery,
Not calm refreshment like these sweet things

Yet why does my spirit, once so free,
Beat like a wind-blown moth at the pane ?
Sigh like the far-off foam on the sea ?
Tremble like rose leaves loose in the lane ?
Has the love once spurned
Grown turbulent? — turned
Home to the sorrowful heart again ?

At night dreams come from the beautiful sea,
The wind blows wild up the wailful shore ;
And never again will I dream of thee —
I shall forget thee for evermore —
While deep waves sigh
The long hours by,
And the new moon glints through the trysting-tree.

I want to breathe the salt wind from the sea,
And hear the deep waves tossing on the bar ;
The moon is up to-night, and Love's white star
Sets in the western dome all dusky grey ;
I stretch my hands to call you back to me,
So soon forgetful ! and still more I pray
That I may feel the soft wind from the sea,

And hear the dark waves tossing on the bar.
I want once more to meet you in the street,
Sea-hushed and calm, and tranquil as a dream,
After the long day's duty and the heat ;
I want to see the gold-lit tidal stream,
And hear the fluttering laughter of the wind
Across those well-loved ways long left behind.

I want once more to see you in that street
Sea-hushed and calm, and tranquil as a dream.
I want to breathe the fresh wind from the sea,
And hear the deep waves tossing on the bar ;
I hold your hand beneath the even-star,
And ask you, heart's beloved, to be my wife.
Old songs return — lost joys come back to me ;

Look in my eyes, sweetheart and love ! sweet life !
While the west wind blows cool across the sea,
And those dark waves are tossing on the bar !