Act 4 — SONGS TO A. H. R.

The world may hear The wind at his trees, The lark in her skies, The sea on his leas; May hear the song rise From the breast of a woman And think it as dear As heaven tho' human. But I have a music they can never know— The touch of you, soul of you, heart of you. Oh! All else that is said or sung 's but a part of you— Ever to me 'tis so!

Not only the lark but the robin too (Oh, heart o' my heart, come into the wood!) Is singing the air to gladness new As the breaking bud And the freshet's flood! Not only the peeping grass and the scent— (Oh, love o' my life, fly unto me here!) Of violets coming ere April's spent— But the frog's shrill cheer And the crow's wild jeer! Not only the blue, not only the breeze, (Oh, soul o' my heart, why tarry so long!) But sun that is sweeter upon the trees Than rills that throng To the brooklet's song! Oh, heart o' my heart, oh, heart o' my love, (Oh soul o' my soul, haste unto me, haste!) For spring is below and God is above— But all is a waste Without thee—Haste!

The bliss of the wind in the redbud ringing! What shall we do with the April days! Kingcups soon will be up and swinging— What shall we do with May's! The cardinal flings, "They are made for mating!" Out on the bough he flutters, a flame. Thrush-flutes echo "For mating's elating! Love is its other name!" They know! know it! but better, oh, better, Dearest, than ever a bird in Spring, Know we to make each moment a debtor Unto love's burgeoning!

Could I, a poet, Implant the truth of you, Seize it and sow it As Spring on the world. There were no need To fling (forsooth) of you Fancies that only lovers heed! No, but unfurled, The bloom, the sweet of you, (As unto me they are opened oft) Would with their beauty's breath repeat of you All that my heart breathes loud or soft!

My love's a guardian-angel Who camps about thy heart, Never to flee thine enemy, Nor from thee turn apart. Whatever dark may shroud thee And hide thy stars away, With vigil sweet his wings shall beat About thee till the day.

Dark hair—dark eyes— But heart of sun, Pity and hope That rill and run With flowing fleet To heal the defeat Of all Life has undone. Dark hair—dark eyes— But soul as clear, Trusty and fair As e'er drew near To clasp its mate And enter the gate Of Love that casts out fear. Dark hair—dark eyes— But, there is seen In them the most That earth can mean; The most that death Can bring—or breath There—in the bright Unseen!

Come to the window, you who are mine. Waken! the night is calling. Sit by me here—with the moon's fair shine Into your deep eyes falling. The sea afar is a fearful gloom; Lean from the casement, listen! Anear, it breaks with a faery spume, Spraying the moon-path's glisten. The little white town below lies deep As eternity in slumber. O, you who are mine, how a glance can reap Beauties beyond all number! "Amalfi!" say it—as the stars set O'er yon far promontory. "Amalfi!" ... Shall we ever forget Even Above this glory? No; as twin sails at anchor ride, Our spirits rock together On a sea of love—lit as this tide With tenderest star-weather! And the quick ecstasy within Your breast is against me beating. Amalfi!... Never a night shall win From God again such fleeting. Ah—but the dawn is redd'ning up Over the moon low-dying. Come, come away—we have drunk the cup: Ours is the dream undying!

A storm broods far on the foam of the deep; The moon-path gleams before. A day and a night, a night and a day, And the way, love, will be o'er. Six thousand wandering miles we have come And never a sail have seen. The sky above and the sea below And the drifting clouds between. Yet in our hearts unheaving hope And light and joy have slept. Nor ever lonely has seemed the wave Tho' heaving wild it leapt. For there is talismanic might Within our vows of love To breathe us over all seas of life— On to that Port above Where the great Captain of all ships Shall anchor them or send Them forth on a vaster Voyage, yea, On one that shall not end. And upon that we two, I think, Together still shall sail. O may it be, my own, or may We perish in death's gale!