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IX。
Skies strewn with roses fading； fading slowly； While one star
trembling watched the daylight die； Or deep in gloom a sunset； hidden
wholly； Save through gold rents torn in a violet sky。
X。
Or parted clouds； as if asunder riven By some great angeland beyond
a space Of far…off tranquil light； the gates of Heaven Will lead us grandly
to as calm a place。
XI。
Or stern dark walls of cloudy mountain ranges Hid all the wonders that
we knew must be； While； far on high； some little white clouds changes'
Revealed the glory they alone could see。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
XII。
Or in wild wrath the affrighted clouds lay shattered； Like treasures of
the lost Hesperides； All in a wealth of ruined splendour scattered； Save one
strange light on distant silver seas。
XIII。
What land or time can claim the Master Painter； Whose art could teach
him half such gorgeous dyes？ Or skill so rare； but purer hues and fainter
Melt every evening in my western skies。
XIV。
So there I wait； until the shade has lengthened； And night's blue misty
curtain floated down； Then； with my heart calmed； and my spirit
strengthened； I crawl once more back to the sultry town。
XV。
What Monarch； then； has nobler recreations Than mine？ Or where
the great and classic Land Whose wealth of Art delights the gathered
nations That owns a Picture Gallery half as grand？
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： SENT TO HEAVEN
I had a Message to send her； To her whom my soul loved best； But I
had my task to finish。 And she was gone home to rest。
To rest in the far bright heaven： Oh； so far away from here； It was vain
to speak to my darling； For I knew she could not hear！
I had a message to send her。 So tender； and true； and sweet； I longed
for an Angel to bear it； And lay it down at her feet。
I placed it； one summer evening； On a Cloudlet's fleecy breast； But it
faded in golden splendour； And died in the crimson west。
I gave it the Lark next morning； And I watched it soar and soar； But its
pinions grew faint and weary； And it fluttered to earth once more。
To the heart of a Rose I told it； And the perfume； sweet and rare；
Growing faint on the blue bright ether； Was lost in the balmy air。
I laid it upon a Censer； And I saw the incense rise； But its clouds of
rolling silver Could not reach the far blue skies。
I cried； in my passionate longing：… 〃Has the earth no Angel…friend Who
will carry my love the message That my heart desires to send？〃
Then I heard a strain of music； So mighty； so pure； so clear； That my
very sorrow was silent； And my heart stood still to hear。
And I felt； in my soul's deep yearning； At last the sure answer stir：…
〃The music will go up to Heaven； And carry my thought to her。〃
It rose in harmonious rushing Of mingled voices and strings。 And I
tenderly laid my message On the Music's outspread wings。
I heard it float farther and farther； In sound more perfect than speech；
Farther than sight can follow。 Farther than soul can reach。
And I know that at last my message Has passed through the golden
gate： So my heart is no longer restless； And I am content to wait。
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： NEVER AGAIN
〃Never again！〃 vow hearts when reunited； 〃Never again shall Love be
cast aside； For ever now the shadow has departed； Nor bitter sorrow；
veiled in scornful pride； Shall feign indifference； or affect disdain； … Never；
oh Love； again； never again！〃
〃Never again！〃 so sobs； in broken accents； A soul laid prostrate at a
holy shrine； … 〃Once more； once more forgive； oh Lord； and pardon； My
wayward life shall bend to love divine； And never more shall sin its
whiteness stain； … Never； oh God； again； never again！〃
〃Never again！' so speaketh one forsaken； In the blank desolate passion
of despair； … 〃Never again shall the bright dream I cherished Delude my
heart； for bitter truth is there； … The angel； Hope； shall still thy cruel pain
Never again； my heart； never again！〃
〃Never again！〃 so speaks the sudden silence； When round the hearth
gathers each well…known face； … But one is missing； and no future presence；
However dear； can fill that vacant place； For ever shall the burning
thought remain； … 〃Never； beloved； again！ never again！〃
〃Never again！〃 sobut beyond our hearing … Ring out far voices fading
up the sky； Never again shall earthly care and sorrow Weigh down the
wings that bear those souls on high； Listen； oh earth； and hear that
glorious strain； … 〃Never； never again！ never again！〃
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LEGENDS AND LYRICS … SECOND SERIES
VERSE： LISTENING ANGELS
Blue against the bluer Heavens Stood the mountain； calm and still；
Two white Angels； bending earthward； Leant upon the hill。
Listening leant those silent Angels； And I also longed to hear What
sweet strain of earthly music Thus could charm their ear。
I heard the sound of many trumpets In a warlike march draw nigh；
Solemnly a mighty army Passed in order by。
But the clang had ceased； the echoes Soon had faded from the hill；
While the Angels； calm and earnest； Leant and listened still。
Then I heard a fainter clamour； Forge and wheel were clashing near
And the Reapers in the meadow Singing loud and clear。
When the sunset came in glory； And the toil of day was o'er； Still the
Angels leant in silence； Listening as before。
Then； as daylight slowly vanished； And the evening mists grew dim；
Solemnly from distant voices Rose a vesper hymn。
When the chant was done； and lingering Died upon the evening air；