FOR our Love's sake I bid thee stay,
Sweet, ere the hours flee away,
Beneath the old acacia tree
That waves its blossoms quiveringly,
And think awhile of early May:

Of how the months have fled away,
And sunrise hour turned twilight gray,
While we have suffered smilingly
For our Love's sake.

It may not be—that which we pray
For tearfully—but dare not say.
And yet if, Sweet, it may not be,
We still may suffer silently,
Watching our sunlight fade away,
For our Love's sake.

ECHOES.

A BREATH
And a sigh,—
How we fly
From Death!
 A breath
And a sigh,—
How we fly
From Death!
A palm
Warm pressed,
As we guessed
Love's psalm.
 Sing on
O our bird!
Thou art heard
Alone.
A word
Breathed close,
And then rose
The bird
 We know
No life,
Neither strife,
Nor woe,
That cowers
In the wood
'Mid a flood
Of flowers,
 Nor aught
But this hour,—
Love's dower
Dear bought.—
Till Love's
Heart sighs,
Like the cries
Of doves,—
 Death's voice
Is away,
And we may
Rejoice.
Then sings
His song,
Beating strong
White wings,—
 The bird
Of our song
May be long
Unheard,
Heart clear
Though faint,
Like a saint
In prayer.—
 But, Dear,
Bend low;
It is now
We hear.
He reigns
In power,
And Love's hour
Disdains.
 Dear Heart
Your kiss!—
After this
We part.
Forget
For a day
All his sway,
Life's fret.
 A breath
And a sigh,—
How we fly
From Death!

NOON.

NO ripple stirs the water,
No song-bird wakes the grove,
Calm noon-tide sways his sceptre,
And hushes even love.

On earth the sun-god bending
Poureth his wondrous store;
The soft-tongued tide, advancing,
Laps the unconscious shore.