DEAR LITTLE MAID OF DREAM Dear little Maid of Dream, My heart, dear Heart, is breaking; Things are not what they seem, And sorrow comes with waking! I yearn to hold you fast, My Dream, but then comes waking; The silver moment past, And then--the sad leave-taking! Dear little Maid of Dream, My heart, dear Heart, is breaking! THE VIOLET TO THE ASTER Said the Violet to the Aster All on a summer's day: "Your colour is the same as mine, Come marry me, I pray; Your bridesmaids shall be lilies, A rose the vested priest, And harebells ring the changes To call us to the feast." Said the Aster to the Violet: "What shall the dowry be, And what my stated fortune, If I should marry thee?" "Your fortune?" sang the Violet, "The fragrance of my breath!" The Aster swayed and murmured: "I will be yours till death!" MAGIC There is magic on the meadow And a witch has won the wood, Elfin laughter from the water As it rolls a rhythmic flood; For a spirit meets my spirit With a flash of iris-wings, And all the world's a garden Glad with many blossomings! THE KING AND THE MAID "O love"--cried the King On a day in spring, As he went through the leafy wood-- "I must be away To the court this day!" And he threw back the purple hood From his royal brow That was paling now With the pain of the parting hour: For the maid was dear, And her lips were near To his lips, like a crimson flower. "I shall be alone On a gilded throne In the midst of my nobles all; From my diadem To my garment's hem, I shall ache for your light footfall: 'Tis no little thing, Dear, to be a king With love of a man for a maid, And to play the part With an empty heart, Like a scabbard without its blade." But the maid was wise, And her hazel eyes Were brave with the light of her love: "God save thee, my King, From great suffering, Grant thee of His grace from above! Canst thou play thy part With an empty heart, If I fill it full to the brim Of the wine of prayer From the bowl I bear?" And his eyes with the tears were dim! "On that ivory throne Shalt thou be alone, If my thoughts are a-wing to thee; If upon thy brow That is paling now, My lips mark where the crown shall be?" So the King rode south From her crimson mouth Through the forest, field and the fells; And his voice was strong With words of a song To a chime of the bridle-bells. A WOMAN'S PRAYER God of the heaven and earth, Bring to the birth Soul of the man that I love; From the Above, Send Him the light of Thy face; Grant to him grace, Brave in the battle, his shield Never to yield! God of the zephyr and gale, That is a nail Holding the hand of my dream Hard to the beam! God of the good Paraclete, Both of his feet Bleed while the sentinels toss Dice near a cross!