HYMN TO THE WINDS, THE WINDS ARE INVOKED BY THE WINNOWERSOF CORN.
Du Bellay, 1550.
To you, troop so fleet, That with winged wandering feet, Through the wide world pass, And with soft murmuring Toss the green shades of spring In woods and grass, Lily and violet I give, and blossoms wet, Roses and dew;This branch of blushing roses, Whose fresh bud uncloses, Wind-flowers too.
Ah, winnow with sweet breath, Winnow the holt and heath, Round this retreat;Where all the golden mom We fan the gold o' the corn, In the sun's heat.
MOONLIGHT.
Jacques Tahureau.
The high Midnight was garlanding her head With many a shining star in shining skies, And, of her grace, a slumber on mine eyes, And, after sorrow, quietness was shed.
Far in dim fields cicalas jargoned A thin shrill clamour of complaints and cries;And all the woods were pallid, in strange wise, With pallor of the sad moon overspread.
Then came my lady to that lonely place, And, from her palfrey stooping, did embrace And hang upon my neck, and kissed me over;Wherefore the day is far less dear than night, And sweeter is the shadow than the light, Since night has made me such a happy lover.
THE GRAVE AND THE ROSE.
Victor Hugo.
The Grave said to the Rose, 'What of the dews of morn, Love's flower, what end is theirs?'
'And what of souls outworn, Of them whereon doth close The tomb's mouth unawares?'
The Rose said to the Grave.
The Rose said, 'In the shade From the dawn's tears is made A perfume faint and strange, Amber and honey sweet.'
'And all the spirits fleet Do suffer a sky-change, More strangely than the dew, To God's own angels new,'
The Grave said to the Rose.
A VOW TO HEAVENLY VENUS.
Du Bellay.
We that with like hearts love, we lovers twain, New wedded in the village by thy fane, Lady of all chaste love, to thee it is We bring these amaranths, these white lilies, A sign, and sacrifice; may Love, we pray, Like amaranthine flowers, feel no decay;Like these cool lilies may our loves remain, Perfect and pure, and know not any stain;And be our hearts, from this thy holy hour, Bound each to each, like flower to wedded flower.
