Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/1057

 ALICE MEYNELL

050 Renouncement

I MUST not think of thcc, and, tired yet strong, I shun the love that lurks in all delight

The Jove of thce and in the blue heaven's height, And in the dearest passage of a song. Oh, just beyond the sweetest thoughts that throng

This breast, the thought of thec waits hidden yet bright ; But it must never, never come in sight; I must stop short of thee the whole day long. But when sleep comes to close each difficult day,

When night gives pause to the long watch I keep, And all my bonds I needs must loose apart, Must doff my will as raiment laid away,

With the first dream that comes with the first sleep I run, I run, I am gathered to thy heart.

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��851 The Lady of the Lambs

]JHE walks the lady of my delight

A shepherdess of sheep. Her flocks arc thoughts. She keeps them white;

She guards them from the steep. She feeds them on the fragrant height,

And folds them in for sleep.

She roams maternal hills and bright,

Dark valleys safe and deep. Her dreams are innocent at night;

The chastest stars may peep. She walks the lady of my delight

A shepherdess of sheep.

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