GRAND LARCENY

What have you done to me,

You, of the Helen-touch?

You with the noon-bright hair

And the voice like streams?

Day has become a cloud!

Season and order such

Shapes as a wizard air

Weaves out of dreams!

I was glad ere you came;

Now I have great unease.

You who have stol’n my soul

As you’d pluck a leaf!

Starved and wind-bitten oak,

Yours the Hesperides!

—Satan consume you whole,

Beautiful Thief!

Where have you locked it up?

Drowned it in colored pools

With your moods’ goldfish or

Swathed it in words?

It should go raggedly,

Hard from the scorn of fools!

Whippings may hurt it sore!

Where are its birds?

What—you will give it back?

Flowery your footpath then!

Songs of your grace I’ll sing

Sleepier than bees!

Hasten, oh wind-beloved!

Grant me my own again!

—What is this shining thing,

Under the trees?—

Tremulous, lucentine,

Sun-wave or heart of star—

What is this magic you

Proffer for mine?

—Closer the wonder draws—

(Those are your eyes!) But are

All paradises true

Then, oh Divine...?

You should have taken gold

For your soul’s treasury!

Not this poor kettle,

Clay to all spears.

Isn’t gold heavy, though!—

We shall rust airily!

Heavenly metal!

Years upon years!