The Lady World Is sleeping on her white and cloudy bed. Like petals furled Her eyelids close. Beside her dream-filled head Her lover stands in silver cloak and shoon, The faithful Moon. So Love, my Love, Sleep on, my Love, my Life, be not afraid. The Moon above Shall guard the World, and I my little maid. Your life, your love, your dreams are mine to keep, So sleep, so sleep. WHITE BIRD OF LOVE Little white bird of the summer sky, Silver against the golden sun, Over the green of the hills you fly, You and the sweet, wild air are one. Glorious sights are in that far place Reached by your daisy-petal wing, Rose-coloured meteors dive through space, Stars made of molten music sing. Still, though your quivering eager flight Reaches the groves by Heaven town, Where all the angels cry out, “Alight! Stop, little bird, come down, come down!” Careless you speed over fields of stars, Darting through Heaven swift and free; Nothing your arrowy passage bars Back to the earth and back to me. Here in the orchard of dream-fruit fair Out of my dreams is built your nest. Blossoming dreams all the branches bear, Fit for my silver dream-bird’s rest. Here, since they love you, the young stars shine, Through the white petals come their beams. Little white love-laden bird of mine, Let them shine on you through my dreams. TRANSFIGURATION If it should be my task, I being God, From whirling atoms to evolve your mate, With hands omnipotent I should create A great-souled hero, with the starlight shod. The subject worlds should tremble at his nod And all the angel host upon him wait, Yet he should leave his pomp and splendid state And kneel to kiss the ground whereon you trod. But God, who like a little child is wise, Made me, a common thing of earthly clay; Then bade me go and see within your eyes The flame of love that burns more bright than day, And as I looked I knew with wild surprise I was transformed--your heart in my heart lay. BALLADE OF MY LADY’S BEAUTY Squire Adam had two wives, they say, Two wives had he, for his delight, He kissed and clypt them all the day And clypt and kissed them all the night. Now Eve like ocean foam was white And Lilith roses dipped in wine, But though they were a goodly sight No lady is so fair as mine. To Venus some folk tribute pay And Queen of Beauty she is hight, And Sainte Marie the world doth sway In cerule napery bedight. My wonderment these twain invite, Their comeliness it is divine, And yet I say in their despite, No lady is so fair as mine.