Gazing thro' her chamber window Sits my soul's dear soul; Looking northward, looking southward, Looking to the goal, Looking back without control. -- I have strewn thy path, beloved, With plumed meadowsweet, Iris and pale perfumed lilies, Roses most complete: Wherefore pause on listless feet? -- But she sits and never answers; Gazing gazing still On swift fountain, shadowed valley, Cedared sunlit hill: Who can guess or read her will? Who can guess or read the spirit Shrined within her eyes, Part a longing, part a languor, Part a mere surprize, While slow mists do rise and rise? -- Is it love she looks and longs for; Is it rest or peace; Is it slumber self-forgetful In its utter ease; Is it one or all of these? So she sits and doth not answer With her dreaming eyes, With her languid look delicious Almost Paradise, Less than happy, over wise. Answer me, O self-forgetful -- Or of what beside? -- Is it day dream of a maiden, Vision of a bride, Is it knowledge, love, or pride? Cold she sits thro' all my kindling, Deaf to all I pray: I have wasted might and wisdom, Wasted night and day: Deaf she dreams to all I say. Now if I could guess her secret Were it worth the guess? -- Time is lessening, hope is lessening, Love grows less and less: What care I for @3no@1 or @3yes?@1 -- I will give her stately burial, Tho', when she lies dead: For dear memory of the past time, Of her royal head, Of the much I strove and said. I will give her stately burial, Willow branches bent; Have her carved in alabaster, As she dreamed and leant While I wondered what she meant. |