Page:New poems and variant readings, Stevenson, 1918.djvu/89

Rh The bells that ring, the peaks that climb,

The frozen snow's unbroken curd

Might yet revindicate in rhyme

The pauseless stream, the absent bird.

In vain—for to the deeps of life

You, lady, you my heart have stirred;

And since you say you love my life,

Be sure I love you for the word.

Of kindness, here I nothing say—

Such loveless kindnesses there are

In that grimacing, common way,

That old, unhonoured social war.

Love but my dog and love my love,

Adore with me a common star—

I value not the rest above

The ashes of a bad cigar.

TO MISS CORNISH

tell me, lady, that to-day

On that unknown Australian strand—

Some time ago, so far away—

Another lady joined the band.