WORDS

One day sweet Ladye Language gave to me

A little golden key.

I sat me down beside her jewel box

And turned its locks.

And oh, the wealth that lay there in my sight.

Great solitaires of words, so bright, so bright;

Words that no use can commonize; like God,

And Truth, and Love; and words of sapphire blue;

And amber words; with sunshine dripping through;

And words of that strange hue

A pearl reveals upon a wanton's hand.

Again the Muse:

Thou dost not understand;

A thought within thy song is lingering yet.

Sing but of words; all else forget, forget.

Nor let thy words convey one thought to men.

Try once again.

Down through the dusk and dew there fell a word;

Down through the dew and dusk.

And all the garments of the air it stirred

Smelled sweet as musk;

And all the little waves of air it kissed

Turned cold and amethyst.

There in the dew and dusk a heart it found;

There in the dusk and dew

The sodden silence changed to fragrant sound;

And all the world seemed new.

Upon the path that little word had trod,

There shone the smile of God.

The Muse said, Drop thy lyre.

I tire, I tire.