IX-- Love's Jealousy

Of other men I know no jealousy,
   Nor of the maid who holds thee close, O, close!
   But of the June-red, summer-scented rose,
   And of the barred and golden sunset sky
That wins the soul of thee through thy deep eye;
   And of the breeze by thee beloved, that goes
   O'er thy dear hair and brow; the song that flows
   Into thy heart of hearts, where it may die.
I would I were one moment that sweet show
   Of flower; or breeze beloved that toucheth all;
   Or sky that through the summer eve doth burn.
I would I were the song thou lovest so,
   At sound of me to have thine eyelids fall;---
   But I would then to something human turn.

Richard Watson Gilder

 BACK| |HOME|