This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ... that lately shone so fresh and bright, Now dry and withered, to the ground are cast; Where ever round and round in restless flight They're driven by the chill November blast. The sumac in the naked hedgerow bleeds, Impatiently the blue jay calls his mate; A crane stalks ghostly through the swaying reeds, And Autumn ...
Read More
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1899 Excerpt: ... that lately shone so fresh and bright, Now dry and withered, to the ground are cast; Where ever round and round in restless flight They're driven by the chill November blast. The sumac in the naked hedgerow bleeds, Impatiently the blue jay calls his mate; A crane stalks ghostly through the swaying reeds, And Autumn mourns her kingdom desolate. RETRIBUTION At last you are home from the carnival? I--By my faith, 'tis a regal head--Have been pondering here, as the hours went by, On the fleshless hand and the rayless eye--List, madam, our child is dead. Is dead, I tell you--asleep, asleep. Keep silence and wake her not! I watched her going, but did not weep, And devils came out of the shade to peep At the one bright crimson spot--You would see our darling? 'Twill be as well. So, lay the jewels aside, And all these shimmering robes that tell Of the stately measure and cadent swell, Of the sinuous sweep and glide Of the amorous waltz. Am I harsh? And thou, Oh, gentle and loving mind! With thy jeweled throat and thy painted brow--And have you reason to chide me now With cruelty? I unkind! It likes me better, this simple dress; What a small, small throat, my love! Do you shrink from my touches of tenderness? RETRIBUTION 141 Time was you were hungry for each caress, And cooed in return like a dove. We will go together, and you may weep--Your breath--my fingers are steel! O'er that silent couch with its snow-white heap Of marble beauty in breathless sleep. What, Love! you falter and reel! So well I loved her, our child, my dear--What say you? Believe, you true? And she was so pretty I had a fear The world might claim her and leave me here Alone when she older grew. And I rocked her asleep in my shielding arms (Did you dance with the count tonight?) I rocked her, and...
Read Less