ONE SWALLOW. We are very glad to-day and lift our praises, For, with eyes that lookt out long and anxiously, While the cutting wind blew sharp against our faces, This one swallow did we see. O thou blessed swallow, matter not thou reach us Travel-faint and tir'd, with draggled plumage wet; Through the winter-a we thou comest now to teach us Of a spring we know not yet. Yes, to-day has set us free from that oppressive And we loose the strain of new-born joy excessive But "One Swallow does not make a Summer," say ye, Would ye quench with that drear adage joy that quickens Nay, ye cannot take our holy joyaunce from us; Ye have only seen to-day one swallow flying ; From the sunny southern land where Summer is But we know they come in flights with that undying Summer greater far than this. O the beauty and the joy that passeth telling! Oh, we take the blessed guerdon none receiveth prove That sweet grace which all things hopeth and believeth, Not credulity, but love. AFTER THE DAY-WORK. DARLING, to-night I claim of you Never bedimm'd with weeping, would. Dear, life is short and art is long, Just a tir'd child to you I come, O more than mother, more than home. Kiss me upon the weary eyes, I shall be young and strong again ; For there was none but you could lull LOVE-SONG. I KNOW not whether to laugh or cry, What shall I say who am here at rest, A SONG OF THE UNSUNG. I WOULD give anything Of all that I hold most dear If I could only sing 'The beautiful songs I hear. Who is it sings them? you say. My darling, how can I tell? I hear them the livelong day, And often at night as well. Songs of such comforting, So tender and sweet and true, That I would give anything Could I only sing them for you. |