In an Autumn Garden...

By Isabel Ecclestone Mackay

In an Autumn Garden

TO-NIGHT the air discloses

Souls of a million roses,

And ghosts of hyacinths that died too soon;

From Pan's safe-hidden altar

Dim wraiths of incense falter

In waving spiral, making sweet the moon!

Aroused from fragrant covers,

The vows of vanished lovers

Take voice in whisperings that rise and pass;

Where the crisped leaves are lying

A tremulous, low sighing

Breathes like a startled spirit o'er the grass.

Ah, Love! in some far garden,

In Arcady or Arden,

We two were lovers! Hush — remember not

The years in which I've missed you —

‘ Twas yesterday I kissed you

Beneath this haunted moon! Have you forgot?