Act 5 — SONNETS.

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BY MARY SPENSER PEASE.

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LOVE’S SUNSET.

As shadows lengthen with the day’s declining,

Like troops of dusky spectres onward creeping,

Weaving swart stripes amid the golden shining

Where meadow, brook and moss-grown hill lie sleeping;

With murky fingers Nature’s sweet book closing—

Each bell and blossom and each three-leaved clover,

With stealthy march the sun’s glad sway deposing,

Till, widening, deepening, darkness shrouds earth over:

So, thy declining love casts o’er my spirit

Chill shadows, freezing all my soul’s warm giving,

Chill shadows, deadening all my soul’s best merit,

And making blackest night my brightest living:

A long, long, fearful night—that knows no morning,

Save in wild, glowing dreams, that speak thy love’s returning.

LOVE’S SUNRISE.

As shadows vanish with the dawn’s advancing,

Like things of evil fleeing from Truth’s whiteness,

The mem’ry of their dark spell but enhancing

The warmth and light of morning’s dewy brightness;

Their chill power over—with a glad awaking

Starts to new life each sleeping leaf and flower,

Each bird and insect into wild song breaking—

All Nature’s heart-pulse thrilleth to the hour:

Thus, my life’s sun—its glory all pervading—

Fuses my soul with daylight warm and tender;

Thus, all strange fears, my spirit darkly shading—

All doubtings flee from its excess of splendor:

Thus, through my inmost heart—like joy-bells ringing—

The birds and honey-bees of thy dear love come singing.