Then there was whispering of leaves,
Soft as of swallows under eaves:
"I love you, love you!" Lo! a light
Sundered the murkiness of night.
Three times I fell, three times I rose
To face the menacing of foes—
What gave me strength again to stand?
Out of the dark I felt a hand!
Out of the dark and dread of death,
Upon my brow I felt a breath;
And by the brink of that abyss
The consolation of a kiss.
Past many moors of pain I trod
Impeded by the clinging clod,
Until within one waking morn
Love in response to love was born.
Love in response to love was mine!
The water-jar was filled with wine,
The broken cruse again restored,
And green had grown the withered gourd.
RAHAB
Rahab hath vermilion lips,
Breasts of ivory, and her hips
Taper down to little feet
That go dancing on the street.
Gossips call dear Rahab bold;
Say her love is bought for gold,
Barters kisses for a purse:
Well, some women have done worse!
Saw you ever Rahab's eyes—
All the blue of Canaan's skies
Smiles a moment, and you see
Beauty's best in Galilee.