A Lover's Diary, Volume 2.

This eBook was produced by David Widger
By Gilbert Parker
And so life passed. I lived from year to year With shadows, the strong warders of desire; I learned through them to seek the golden fire That hides itself in Song's bright hemisphere.
Through them I grew full of imaginings, I made strange pictures, conjured images From my deep longings; wrote the passages Of life inwrought with half-glad wonderings.
For who can know a majesty of peace, That wanders, ever waiting for a voice To say to him, Behold, at last surcease
Of thy unrest has come, therefore, rejoice ? Here set I down some dreams that come again, Almost forgotten in my higher gain.
A ship at sea; a port to anchor in; Not far a starry light upon the shore. The sheeted lightning, like a golden door, Swings to and fro to let earth-angels in.
Most bravely has she sailed o'er every sea, Withstood the storm-rack, spurned the sullen reef; Cherished her strength; and held her guerdon fief To him who saith, My ship comes back to me!
Behold, I sent her forth a stately thing, To be my messenger to farthest lands, To Fortunate Isles, and where the silver sands
Girdle a summer sea; that she might bring My bride, who wist not that I loved her so— This is no bitter day for me, I trow!
A ship in port; well-crossed the harbour-bar; The hawser swung, the grinding helm at rest; Hands clasping hands, and eyes with eager zest Seeking the loved, returning from afar.
And he, the master, holding little reck Of all, save but the idol of his soul, Seeks not his loving ardour to control. Mark how he proudly treads the whitened deck!