TO GIULIA, SINGING
SING me the song again, and yet again
Waken the music as it dies away;
Make twilight sadder with it, nor refrain
While yet these sighing winds bemoan the day.
Still let that wavering voice
Make my young heart rejoice,
Even tho’ one truant tear adown my cheek may stray.
Cease not thy singing, dearest, for mine eyes
Feed on thy beauty, and I hear the song
As one who, looking on the sunset skies,
Hears over flowery meads the south winds blow,
And down the purple hills the flashing waters flow.
An idle song; I cannot tell the meaning,
Yet, sing I o’er and o’er, for in its wings
It bringeth heavenly things:
Dear memories of melodious hours,
When all earth’s weeds were flowers;
Dear memories of the loved ones far away
Whom yet we hope to greet some happy day;
Dear memories of the travellers from Life’s shore,
Whom we shall greet again, ah! nevermore.
Cease, lady! Sing some song that brings again
The golden past, meet for this sunset hour;
Some breath of melody not fraught with pain,
Some gayly-tinted flower!
Let thy fair hand float o’er the willing keys,
And all my sorrows ease.
YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY
BUT yesterday the laughing sun
Came dancing up the rosy East—
You would have thought that it was May;
The birds sang clear on every spray.
The heart with fuller motion beat,
The sad eye flashed with brighter fire;
Down to the ground the sunbeams came
And lit the crocus’ slender flame.
The branches of the lonely pine
Rocked to a glad harmonious hymn.
The song-bird’s music and the breeze
With double laughter shook the trees