So light and sinewy his hand,
He rode his young horse carelessly,
And with an easy mastery
He forced it to a quivering stand.
And yet when from her hand the light
Small beaker he must take, they found
That it was all too hard, for lo,
Both he and she did tremble so
Their two hands never met aright,
And dark wine trickled on the ground.
CHÂTEAU D’ESPAGNE
Castle-of-Spain is builded high,
Thrusting its towers towards the sky,
With its shot-windows looking down
Over the ribbed roofs of the town
That like a cat, her mousing done,
Stretches at ease there in the sun.
Castle-of-Spain upon the crest
Thrones like an eagle come to rest;
Shut wings ready to spread once more
And great and still in the blue to soar:—
On that day you will turn to find
Your castle gone with no wrack behind!
Castle-of-Spain is hard to take.
Your feet will bleed and your heart may break
Long ere that stony height you gain—
Better the safe and pleasant plain!
For, reach the summit, nothing’s there
Save mocking sun and empty air
Or a tall cloud-tower in the heaven’s span—
Small comfort that to an earthly man!
Castle-of-Spain is builded high
Up above us, beyond the sky....
Easy we build you, hardly we gain,
Castle-of-Spain, Castle-of-Spain!
BATHING RHYME
Turquoise-green the laughing sea
And the beach is ivory,
Creamy-yellow, creamy-smooth—
How the small waves lisp and soothe!
Those grave woods will not betray,
All the shore is ours to-day,
There’s no soul for many a mile
And the curved waves call and smile,
Coax and whisper and beguile ...
Quick, your garments cast aside
Go to meet the rising tide!