Page:The Collected Poems of Dora Sigerson Shorter.djvu/34

Rh On her pale brow was a look of soft peace. Upward she went; Never a glance in her welcome release Backward she bent.

Red was her cloak, and her face like a flower Dear to behold; Little red slippers she wore in that hour Buckled with gold.

Up the white steps like a flash of red flame, In through the door; Quick did I follow to tremble her name— Saw her no more.

Saw her no more from that hour—she had gone, Vanished away, Like a bright light on my lone path that shone, Then let me stray.

I had a neighbour—he was my friend, Since in the wood Lone our two houses were, each gable-end United stood.

This was a manor once built for a knight In days of old. But with the centuries love and their fight Squandered the gold.

So for my friend, when inheritance came Coffers were bare. Just the old keep and the weight of a name, This was his share.