The poetical works of George MacDonald Volume I Part 19

Kiss me, my Lilia.

[_She kisses him mechanically. He goes with a sigh_.]

_Lilia_.

It is plain to see He tries to love me, but is weary of me.

[_She weeps_.]

_Enter_ LILY.

_Lily_.

Mother, have you been naughty? Mother, dear!

[_Pulling her hand from her face_.]

SCENE VII.--_Julian's room. Noon_. LILIA _at work_; LILY _playing in a closet_.

_Lily_ (_running up to her mother_).

Sing me a little song; please, mother dear.

[LILIA, _looking off her work, and thinking with fixed eyes for a few moments, sings_.]

SONG.

Once I was a child, Oime!

Full of frolic wild; Oime!

All the stars for glancing, All the earth for dancing; Oime! Oime!

When I ran about, Oime!

All the flowers came out, Oime!

Here and there like stray things, Just to be my playthings.

Oime! Oime!

Mother's eyes were deep, Oime!

Never needing sleep.

Oime!

Morning--they're above me!

Eventide--they love me!

Oime! Oime!

Father was so tall!

Oime!

Stronger he than all!

Oime!

On his arm he bore me, Queen of all before me.

Oime! Oime!

Mother is asleep; Oime!

For her eyes so deep, Oime!

Grew so tired and aching, They could not keep waking.

Oime! Oime!

Father, though so strong, Oime!

Laid him down along-- Oime!

By my mother sleeping; And they left me weeping, Oime! Oime!

Now nor bird, nor bee, Oime!

Ever sings to me!

Oime!

Since they left me crying, All things have been dying.

Oime! Oime!

[LILY _looks long in her mother's face, as if wondering what the song could be about; then turns away to the closet.

After a little she comes running with a box in her hand_.]

_Lily_.

O mother, mother! there's the old box I had So long ago, and all my cups and saucers, And the farm-house and cows.--Oh! some are broken.

Father will mend them for me, I am sure.

I'll ask him when he comes to-night--I will: He can do everything, you know, dear mother.

SCENE VIII.--_A merchants counting-house_. JULIAN _preparing to go home_.

_Julian_.

I would not give these days of common toil, This murky atmosphere that creeps and sinks Into the very soul, and mars its hue-- Not for the evenings when with gliding keel I cut a pale green track across the west-- Pale-green, and dashed with snowy white, and spotted With sunset crimson; when the wind breathed low, So low it hardly swelled my xebec's sails, That pointed to the south, and wavered not, Erect upon the waters.--Jesus said His followers should have a hundred fold Of earth's most precious things, with suffering.-- In all the labourings of a weary spirit, I have been bless'd with gleams of glorious things.

The sights and sounds of nature touch my soul, No more look in from far.--I never see Such radiant, filmy clouds, gathered about A gently opening eye into the blue, But swells my heart, and bends my sinking knee, Bowing in prayer. The setting sun, before, Signed only that the hour for prayer was come, But now it moves my inmost soul to pray.

On this same earth He walked; even thus he looked Upon its thousand glories; read them all; In splendour let them pa.s.s on through his soul, And triumph in their new beat.i.tude, Finding a heaven of truth to take them in; But walked on steadily through pain to death.

Better to have the poet's heart than brain, Feeling than song; but better far than both, To be a song, a music of G.o.d's making; A tablet, say, on which G.o.d's finger of flame, In words harmonious, of triumphant verse, That mingles joy and sorrow, sets down clear, That out of darkness he hath called the light.

It may be voice to such is after given, To tell the mighty tale to other worlds.

Oh! I am blest in sorrows with a hope That steeps them all in glory; as gray clouds Are bathed in light of roses; yea, I were Most blest of men, if I were now returning To Lilia's heart as presence. O my G.o.d, I can but look to thee. And then the child!-- Why should my love to her break out in tears?

Why should she be only a consolation, And not an added joy, to fill my soul With gladness overflowing in many voices Of song, and prayer--and weeping only when Words fainted 'neath the weight of utterance?

SCENE IX.--LILIA _preparing to go out_. LILY.

_Lily_.

Don't go to-night again.

_Lilia_.

Why, child, your father Will soon be home; and then you will not miss me.