FIREFLIES
Reading edition
(From an old Italian Legend)
True lovers' words are deathless things; Eros, the little god, and wise, Catches them all,—gives to them wings, And turns them into fireflies!
Words that are sweet as a caress, And wild, bright words no will can tame; Soft words of haunting tenderness,— Words that are like a blue-white flame.
The magic word, the jewelled word, The word that hides a thousand fears,— These all the perfumed winds have heard, Through all the immemorial years!
Not one is lost;—by old sea walls, And over beds of mignonette, And through lost lanes,—when darkness falls, In loveliness they sparkle yet.
*****
Then down the velvet sea of night, Like little lighted ships asail, They pass away, and out of sight,— Companioned by the nightingale.