Classic Poem

I

Since you have waned from us,
Fairest of women!
I am a darkened cage
Song cannot hymn in.
My songs have followed you,
Like birds the summer;
Ah! bring them back to me,
Swiftly, dear comer!
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!

II

Where wings to rustle use,
But this poor tarrier —
Searching my spirit's eaves —
Find I for carrier.
Ah! bring them back to me
Swiftly, sweet comer —
Swift, swift, and bring with you
Song's Indian summer!
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!

III

Whereso your angel is,
My angel goeth;
I am left guardianless,
Paradise knoweth!
I have no Heaven left
To weep my wrongs to;
Heaven, when you went from us,
Went with my songs too.
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!

IV

I have no angels left
Now, Sweet, to pray to:
Where you have made your shrine
They are away to.
They have struck Heaven's tent,
And gone to cover you:
Whereso you keep your state
Heaven is pitched over you!
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!

V

She that is Heaven's Queen
Her title borrows,
For that she, pitiful,
Beareth our sorrows.
So thou, Regina mi ,
Spes infirmorum;
With all our grieving crowned
Mater dolorum!
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!

VI

Yet, envious coveter
Of other's grieving!
This lonely longing yet
'Scapeth your reaving.
Cruel, to take from a
Sinner his Heaven!
Think you with contrite smiles
To be forgiven?
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!

VII

Penitent! give me back
Angels, and Heaven;
Render your stolen self,
And be forgiven!
How frontier Heaven from you?
For my soul prays, Sweet,
Still to your face in Heaven,
Heaven in your face, Sweet!
Seraphim ,
Her to hymn ,
Might leave their portals ;
And at my feet learn
The harping of mortals!