With narrow moon-lit slips of silver cloud, Between the loud stream and the trembling stars. "O mother, hear me yet before I die. I wish that somewhere in the ruined folds, And cast the golden fruit upon the board, And bred this change; that I might speak my mind, And tell her to her face how much I hate Her presence, hated both of Gods and men. "O mother, hear me yet before I die. Hath he not sworn his love a thousand times, In this green valley, under this green hill, Even on this hand, and sitting on this stone? Sealed it with kisses? watered it with tears? O happy tears, and how unlike to these! O happy Heaven, how canst thou see my face? O happy earth, how canst thou bear my weight? O death, death, death, thou ever-floating cloud, There are enough unhappy on this earth; Pass by the happy souls, that love to live: "O mother, hear me yet before I die. Dead sounds at night come from the inmost hills, Ere it is born: her child! a shudder comes "O mother, hear me yet before I die. Down into Troy, and ere the stars come forth THE SISTERS. I. We were two daughters of one race: The wind is blowing in turret and tree. O the Earl was fair to see! II. She died she went to burning flame: The wind is howling in turret and tree. Whole weeks and months, and early and late, To win his love I lay in wait. O the Earl was fair to see! III. I made a feast; I bade him come: I won his love, I brought him home. The wind is roaring in turret and tree. And after supper, on a bed, Upon my lap he laid his head: O the Earl was fair to see! IV. I kissed his eyelids into rest: His ruddy cheek upon my breast. The wind is raging in turret and tree. I hated him with the hate of hell, But I loved his beauty passing well. O the Earl was fair to see! V. I rose up in the silent night: I made my dagger sharp and bright. The wind is raving in turret and tree. As half-asleep his breath he drew, Three times I stabbed him through and through. O the Earl was fair to see! |