The moonlight on this beach lies pallidly, And on the waters in a white track dreams, Where ripples pulsate under misty beams. Far out the night lifts vast and shadowy, Fear-haunted, where the dim, white headlands lie, And chants the lake the dark’s wild frighted themes In far-heard thunders. Here the silence teems With frensy’s sweet and frosted phantasy.
This is the realm of lovers, and across This silvery web two shadows come and go. Outside the world sleeps with its freight of woe, Its human load of haggard pain and loss; But these two dream, where elfin torches glow And wind-stirred boughs their snowy foliage toss.
ON A SUMMER SHORE.
Long years have gone, and yet it seems But scarce an hour ago, I lay upon a moss-grown rock, And watched the ebb and flow Of waters, where cool shades above Glassed in cool depths below.
You stood beside me sweet and fair, A basket on your arm, Red-heaped with luscious fruit we’d picked Down at the old shore farm; You stood and in the shore-wood made A picture glad and warm.
Like heaving pearl the blue bay rocked Against its limestone wall, Far off in reeling dreams of blue The heavens seemed to fall About the world, and there you stood, Unconscious, queen of all.
From far-off fields the low of kine, Soft bird-notes, airy streams, That stole in here, far, broken notes Of all the day’s hushed dreams; And you, one slender shaft of light, In all the world’s wide gleams.
We spoke no love, for I was shy, And you were shyer then; Mine was a boy’s faint heart, and yours Still outside of love’s ken; But such sweet moments are full rare In barren years of men.