And tears that fall on grave or bier
Bid Pity come not over near.

In after years, a yeoman, gray
And grave beyond the years he bore,
Would ever come on Marston day,
And silent tell his memories o'er ;
And by his side a matron staid,
Three sturdy boys and little maid

With wondering looks would stand; While points their sire to buttress stone, And bids them read the prayer thereon, And holding hand in hand

To promise by the love they bear,
As recompense for mother's care,
To touch nor spear nor brand;
But hate all deeds of war and strife,
And live in peace a yeoman's life.

One secret only Bryan kept

For ever hidden in his breast;

It lived and died and with him slept,

Not even Janet ever guessed,

Whose hand had struck on Marston plain,

And left her Bryan 'mid the slain.

VERSES.

CONTENTS.

"BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK

TEMPLUM VENERIS (CLAUDE)

PAGE

273

276

"BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR

AND KNOCK."

"OH, haste thee, and open,

The evening is late."
The Master was speaking,

My heart was the gate.

"At daybreak I saw thee
Dance gleefully by,
The splendours of dawning
Were bright in thine eye.

"I smiled on thy joyaunce,
So glad and so fair,
I loved thee and loving
I bade thee, 'Beware.'

"At noontide I met thee

In bridal array;
My bright passion-flower
I strewed on thy way.

"And pensively kissing

Thou took it and pressed,
One moment, My symbol
Of love to thy breast.

T

66

274 BEHOLD, I STAND AT THE DOOR AND KNOCK."

"I loved thee supremely;
With tears of delight
I knelt on thy pathway,

Hid in sunbeams bright.

"But a summer-red rose

Blushed bold to thine eye,
And My poor passion-flower
Forgotten did lie.

"I heard in the gloaming

Thy desolate moan ;
Thou, weary and hopeless,
Wert weeping alone.

"I whispered, 'Thy sorrow,
Oh, tell it to Me,
Thy heart's desolation,
I'll bear it for thee.

"Oh, give Me thy burden,
And lean on My breast,
I'll fill thee with joyaunce,
I'll soothe thee to rest.'

"But bright was the sunset
As gold on the hill,

And thy tears, they were dried,
Thy moan, it was still.

"Oh, haste thee, and open,

'Tis late, oh, so late; The darkness is falling;

Still barred is the gate."