Sped a shepherd from the height (White lambs followed, lured by love Of their shepherd's crook): He turned neither east nor west, But knelt right down to May, for love Trilled her song and swelled her song With maiden coy caprice In a labyrinth of throbs, Pauses, cadences; Clear-noted as a dropping brook, Soft-noted like the bees, He hung breathless on her breath; Then he spoke, and spread his hands, Pointing here and there : "See my sheep and see the lambs, Twin lambs which they bear. And myself I offer you, All my flocks and care, Your sweet song hath moved me so." In her fluttered heart young May Mused a dubious while, "If he loves me as he says Her lips curved with a smile : If sister Meggan makes her choice At cockcrow we were sister-maids, We Said Meggan, "Yes," May said not "No." Fair Margaret stayed alone at home, Awhile she sang her song, Awhile sat silent, then she thought: "My sisters loiter long." That sultry noon had waned away, 66 Shadows had waxen great : Surely," she thought within herself, "My sisters loiter late!" She rose, and peered out at the door, With patient heart to wait, And heard a distant nightingale Complaining of its mate; Then down the garden slope she walked, Down to the garden gate, Leaned on the rail and waited so. The slope was lightened by her eyes Waiting thus in weariness. She marked the nightingale Telling, if any one would heed, Its old complaining tale. Then lifted she her voice and sang, Answering the bird : Then lifted she her voice and sang, All his princes in his train, Squire, and knight, and peer, Every beast and bird and fish, From miles of country round : Flocks and herds trooped at their heels Along the hill-side way; No foot too feeble for the ascent, Not any head too grey ; Some were swift, and none were slow. So Margaret sang her sisters home In their marriage mirth; Sang free birds out of the sky, Beasts along the earth, Sang up fishes of the deep— All breathing things that move Sang from far and sang from near To her lovely love; Sang together friend and foe; Sang a golden-bearded king But when the clear voice died away, And claimed her for his bride. In a brief May-tide, Long ago and long ago. CHRISTINA ROSSETTI. 堂 Love from the North I HAD a love in soft south land, He saddened if my cheer was sad, My yes his yes, my nay his nay. The wedding hour was come, the aisles Were flushed with sun and flowers that day; I pacing balanced in my thoughts : "It's quite too late to think of nay.” |