Page:A masque of poets 1878.djvu/20

14 LALAGE.

HEN I have kissed the Rose upon the path

And loved her, touch to touch and eye to eye,

The joy I have of her I know she hath

For every passer by —

What right have I?

Wakes in my heart the morning of thy speech,

Sings in my soul the music of thy smile,

And thou'rt as far as Roses out of reach —

For in a little while

Will they beguile

Hearts, not my own, of other sorrowing —

Ah, and thy voice's music, sweet and low

And gentle with all magic of the spring

Shall touch them even so —

Do I not know?

I know it well, and yet in peace I part!

I know God made the Rose, and gave to thee,

To help his whole wide world, the Rose's heart,

Nor left thy bounty free

To pluck by me.