Poems by Edward Shanks Part 1

Poems.

by Edward Shanks.

NOTE

Certain of these pieces have appeared already in the following periodicals:--_The English Review, The Sat.u.r.day Review, The Eye-Witness, The Westminster Gazette_, and _The Pall Mall Gazette_.

One of the Songs was printed for the first time in an anthology called _Cambridge Poets_. I am indebted to the editors of these for permission to reprint them here.

E. S.

SONGS

_Song for an Unwritten Play._

The moon's a drowsy fool to-night, Wrapped in fleecy clouds and white; And all the while Endymion Sleeps on Latmos top alone.

Not a single star is seen: They are gathered round their queen, Keeping vigil by her bed, Patient and unwearied.

Now the poet drops his pen And moves about like other men: Tom o' Bedlam now is still And sleeps beneath the hawthorn'd hill.

Only the Latmian shepherd deems Something missing from his dreams And tosses as he sleeps alone.

Alas, alas, Endymion!

_The Cup._

As a hot traveller Going through stones and sands, Who sees clear water stir Amid the weary lands, Takes in his hollowed hands The clean and lively water, That trickles down his throat Like laughter, like laughter,

So when you come to me Across these parched places And all the waste I see Flowered with your graces, I take between my hands Your face like a rare cup, Where kisses mix with laughter, And drink and drink them up Like water, like water.

_A Rhymeless Song._

Rhyme with its jingle still betrays The song that's meant for one alone.

Dearest, I dedicate to you A little song without a rhyme.

The most unpractised schoolboy knows That quiet kisses are the sweetest.

Safe locked within my arms you lie, Let not a single sound betray us.

Suppose your jealous mother came By chance this way and found us here...

Be still, be still, and not a sound Shall give her warning that we love.

_Meadow and Orchard._

My heart is like a meadow, Where clouds go over, Dappling the mingled gra.s.s and clover With mingled sun and shadow, With light that will not stay And shade that sails away.

Your heart is like an orchard, That has the sun for ever in its leaves, Where, on the gra.s.s beneath the trees, There falls the shadow of the fruit That ripen there for me.

_Who thinks that he possesses._

Who thinks that he possesses His mistress with his kisses Knows neither love nor her.

Nor beauty is not his Who seeks it in a kiss: If you would seek for this O seek it otherwhere!

Love is a flame, a spirit Beyond all earthly merit And all we dream of here; Strive as you may but still Love is intangible, No servant to your will But sovereign otherwhere.

_Love in the Open Air._

I'll love you in the open air But stuffy rooms and blazing fires And mirrors with familiar stare Cloak and befoul my high desires.

The dearest day that I have known Was in the fields, when driving rain Was like a veil around us thrown, A grey close veil without a stain.

The young oak-tree was stripped and bare But naked twigs a shelter made, Where curious cows came round to stare And stood astonished and dismayed.

Let it be rain or summer sun, Smell of wet earth or scent of flowers, Love, once more give me, give me one Of these enchanted lover's hours.

_Fear in the Night._

I am afraid to-night, We are too glad, too gay, Our life too sweet, too bright To last another day.

What hap, what chance can fall, What sorrow come, what schism, What loss, what cataclysm To part us two at all?

The stars with ageless fire In skies serene the same Observe our young desire And watch our loves aflame.

A whisper soft, a sound Unfollowed, unattended, Shakes all the branches round: They sleep and it is ended.

You sleep and I alone Torment myself with fear For new joys coming near And gracious actions done.