English

Before the day ends
you will be far away, my sister
Outside, there's sleet and it's oddly bright.
(Please get me some rain-snow)
From the clouds, reddish, all the gloomier for it,
the sleet comes down thick and clumsy
(Please get me some rain-snow)
To get rain-snow for you
in these two chipped ceramic bowls
with blue water-shield designs
I flew out into this dark sleet
like a crooked bullet
(Please get me some rain-snow)
From dark clouds the color of bismuth
the sleet sinks thick and clumsy.
Ah, Toshiko,

Before I melt,
Come, look at me!
This lovely icy filigree!
Of a great forest
In one night
I make a wilderness
Of white:
By skyey cold
Of crystals made,
All softly, on
Your finger laid,
I pause, that you
My beauty see:
Breathe, and I vanish

Before you kissed me only winds of heaven
— Had kissed me, and the tenderness of rain —
Now you have come, how can I care for kisses
Like theirs again?

I sought the sea, she sent her winds to meet me,
— They surged about me singing of the south —
I turned my head away to keep still holy
Your kiss upon my mouth.

And swift sweet rains of shining April weather
— Found not my lips where living kisses are;
I bowed my head lest they put out my glory
As rain puts out a star.

Fear me, virgin whosoeverTaking pride from love exemptFear me, slighted. Never, neverBrave me, nor my fury tempt:Downy wings, but wroth they beatTempest even in reason's seat.

Behind the house the upland falls
With many an odorous tree--
White marbles gleaming through green halls,
Terrace by terrace, down and down,
And meets the starlit Mediterranean Sea.

'Tis Paradise. In such an hour
Some pangs that rend might take release.
Nor less perturbed who keeps this bower
Of balm, nor finds balsamic peace?

of a young Cavalry Officer killed in the Valley of Virginia.

Beauty and youth, with manners sweet, and friends —
Gold, yet a mind not unenriched had he
Whom here low violets veil from eyes.
But all these gifts transcended be:
His happier fortune in this mound you see.

Before the Roman came to Rye or out to Severn strode,
The rolling English drunkard made the rolling English road.
A reeling road, a rolling road, that rambles round the shire,
And after him the parson ran, the sexton and the squire;
A merry road, a mazy road, and such as we did tread
The night we went to Birmingham by way of Beachy Head.

I knew no harm of Bonaparte and plenty of the Squire,
And for to fight the Frenchman I did not much desire;
But I did bash their baggonets because they came arrayed

Before the Shrine of the Filial Marquis
rain falls;
beyond the bank of Yen-hua Stream
the sun sets.
Past traces now — as if they were in dreams;
the spring wind in sorrow shreds the passing clouds.

Because mine eyes can never have their fill
Of looking at my lady's lovely face,
I will so fix my gaze
That I may become blessed beholding her.
Even as an angel, up at his great height
Standing amid the light,
Becometh blessed by only seeing God:--
So, though I be a simple earthly wight,
Yet none the less I might,
Beholding her who is my heart's dear load,
Be blessed, and in the spirit soar abroad.
Such power abideth in that gracious one;
Albeit felt of none
Save of him who, desiring, honors her.

Beauty in woman; the high will's decree;
Fair knighthood armed for manly exercise;
The pleasant song of birds; love's soft replies;
The strength of rapid ships upon the sea;
The serene air when light begins to be;
The white snow, without wind that falls and lies;
Fields of all flower; the place where waters rise;
Silver and gold; azure in jewellery: —
Weighed against these the sweet and quiet worth
Which my dear lady cherishes at heart
Might seem a little matter to be shown;
Being truly, over these, as much apart

Before the falling summer sun
The boughs are shining all as gold,
And down below them waters run,
As there in former years they roll'd;
The poolside wall is glowing hot,
The pool is in a dazzling glare,
And makes it seem as, ah! 'tis not,
A summer when my life was fair.

The evening, gliding slowly by,
Seems one of those that long have fled;
The night comes on to star the sky
As then it darken'd round my head.
A girl is standing by yon door,
As one in happy times was there,