Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/151

Rh She had no special grace, nor art;

Her riches not in banks were kept;

Her treasure was a gentle heart;

Her skill to comfort those who wept.

Not without foes her days were past,

For quick her burning scorn was fanned.

Her friends were many—least and last,

A poet from a distant land.

PORTO FINO

a girl—she is a poet's daughter,

And many-mooded as a poet's day,

And changing as the Mediterranean water;

We walked together by an emerald bay,

So deep, so green, so promontory-hidden

That the lost mariner might peer in vain

Through storms, to find where he erewhile had ridden,

Safe-sheltered from the wild and windy main.

Down the high stairs we clambered just to rest a

Cool moment in the church's antique shade.

How gay the aisles and altars! 'T was the festa

Of brave Saint George who the old dragon laid.

How bright the little port! The red flags fluttered,

Loud clanged the bells, and loud the children's glee;

What tho' some distant, unseen storm-cloud muttered,

And waves breathed big along the weedy quay.

We climbed the hill whose rising cleaves asunder

Green bay and blue immeasurable sea;

We heard the breakers at its bases thunder;

We heard the priests harsh chant soar wild and free.