Chansons de Rosemonde

I

The dawn is lonely for the sun,
And chill and drear;
The one lone star is pale and wan
As one in fear.
But when day strides across the hills,
The warm blood rushes through
The bared soft bosom of the blue
And all the glad east thrills.

Oh, come, my King! The hounds of joy
Are waiting for thy horn
To chase the doe of heart's desire
Across the heights of morn.
Oh, come, my Sun, and let me know
The rapture of the day!
Oh, come, my love! Oh, come, my love!
Thou art so long away!

II

Love, hold me close to thee—
And kiss me—so—
Dear! . . . The green leaves above
Blur in the blue;
The ground reels like a sea! . . .
I know, I know
There is but now for love
Between us two.

Death like a wizard holds
Me with his eye;
I cannot strive nor start
To break the spell! . . .
Night smothers in her folds
My passing cry! . . .
But hold me to thy heart
And all is well.

Ah, what if heaven should be
A dream like this,
—Too glad to move,
Too still to laugh or weep,
So thou stand over me,
Bend down and kiss
My lips once—love—
And let me fall asleep!