CHRISTINA ROSSETTI Albeit a theme of flame to bring them straight The snorting white-winged brother of the wave,i They hear him as a thing by fate Cursed in unholy babble to his grave. As men that spied the wings, that heard the Their sires have told; and of a martial prince 31 There is that story of the golden bit He rose like the loosed fountain's utmost leap; more. ASK, IS LOVE DIVINE Ask, is Love divine, Voices all are, Ay. Question for the sign, There's a common sigh. Would we through our years Quit of scars and tears? SONG OF THE SONGLESS They have no song, the sedges dry, It is within my breast they sing, Within my breast they touch a spring, There is but sound of sedges dry; DIRGE IN WOODS A wind sways the pines, Not a breath of wild air; As the clouds the clouds chase: And we drop like the fruits of the tree, CHRISTINA ROSSETTI (1830-1894) THE BRIDE-SONG FROM THE PRINCE'S PROGRESS Too late for love, too late for joy! Too late! too late! You loitered on the road too long, You trifled at the gate: The enchanted dove upon her branch IO Remember me when I am gone away, Nor I half turn to go, yet turning stay. 9 You tell me of our future that you planned: Only remember me; you understand It will be late to counsel then or pray. Yet if you should forget me for a while And afterwards remember, do not grieve: For if the darkness and corruption leave A vestige of the thoughts that once I had, Better by far you should forget and smile Than that you should remember and be sad. Give me the lowest place: not that I dare Ask for that lowest place, but Thou hast died That I might live and share Thy glory by Thy side. Give me the lowest place: or if for me That lowest place too high, make one more low Where I may sit and see My God and love Thee so. JAMES THOMSON (1834-1882) FROM THE CITY OF DREADFUL NIGHT As I came through the desert thus it was, But I strode on austere; No hope could have no fear. 176 As I came through the desert thus it was, No hope could have no fear. 185 As I came through the desert thus it was, |