Page:The poems of Edmund Clarence Stedman, 1908.djvu/482

VARIOUS POEMS Should need no absolution—hadst thou died

Unhouselled, in their imaged loveliness.

All this had Fate decreed,—the antique skill,

The halt, the poise, the long auspicious day,—

Yielding this once, thy triumph to fulfil,

Velasquez' sceptre to Fortuny's sway.

Shine from thy cloud of night, fair star, nor fear

Oblivion, though men thy dust inurn,

For who may bid thy counterpart appear

Until the hand that drew thee shall return!

HAREBELL

A REPARATION

The stage's knight, the keen assayer

Of parts whence all save greatness came,

But—not a player.

Proud, eager soul, this fine-strung creature

Should seem forever just to miss

That touch of nature;

Some fellow at his rivals snarling,

Some churl who gains the boards, and lives

Transformed—her darling!"

Thought likewise, maugre Lanciotto,

And Yorick, though his Cassius nigh

Won Hamlet's motto.

452