Love that invites, love that delights,
From hedgerow lush and leafy heights
Is flooding all the air;
Their forest harps the breezes strum,
The happy brooks their burden hum;
There's nothing deaf, there's nothing dumb,
But music everywhere!
Above the airy steep
Their lyres of gold the angels sweep,
Glad holiday with earth to keep
Before the Great White Throne.
Then, when Heaven and earth and sea
Are joining in Love's jubilee;
While morning stars make melody,
Shall man be mute alone?
Naught that hath birth matches the worth
Of Love, in God's own Heaven and Earth,
For through His power divine
Love opes the golden eye of day,
Love guides the pale moon's lonely way,
Love lights the glow-worm's glimmering ray
Amid the darkling bine.
Heavenly hue and form
Above, around, are glowing warm,
From His right hand Who rides the storm,
Yet paints the lily's cheek.
Yea! whereso'er man lifts his eyes
To wood or wave or sunset skies,
A myriad magic shapes arise
Eternal Love to speak.

[96]


PLAS GOGERDDAN

(After Ceiriog to a Welsh Air)

"Without thy Sire hast thou returned?"
In grief the Princess cried!
"Go back!—or from my sight be spurned—
To battle by his side.
I gave thee birth; but struck to earth
I'd sooner see thee lie,
Or on thy bier come carried here,
Than thus a craven fly!
"Seek yonder hall, and pore on all
The portraits of thy race;
The courage high that fires each eye
Canst thou endure to face?"
"I'll bring no blame on thy fair name,
Or my forefathers slight!
But kiss and bless me, mother dear,
Ere I return to fight."
He fought and fell—his stricken corse
They bore to her abode;
"My son!" she shrieked, in wild remorse;
"Forgive me, O! my God!"
Then from the wall old voices fall:
"Rejoice for such a son!
His deed and thine shall deathless shine,
Whilst Gwalia's waters run!"

[97]