We carry memories too: Sad phantoms of the days we reckoned dear; Strong tyrannous desires, With hands that cling and eyes whose tears are fires: The wine is new Still on our lips of autumn here, Which we too soon shall change for Alpine winter drear. Florence lies far behind; Her grave grey palace-fronts, her lily towers; The curves of Arno bright With star-set lamps that tremble in the night; Her wild west wind, That shook those lightning-smitten showers And flakes of sunbeams on the pale October flowers. How far the dancing waves Of Spezia, where the silvered olives sleep, Sweeten the sunny air by silent bays! The calm sea laves Those crags-but not for us-and deep Dreams on the sapphire cliffs and stairs of marble steep. Ah me! No more for us Spreads the clear world-wide Tuscan land divine; Fold over billowy fold Of fertile vale and tower-set mountain old, Innumerous. As crowds of crested waves that shine In sun and shadow on the spaceless ocean brine. Soul-full we said Farewell! What time those tears from flying storms were cast O'er Thrasymene and thee, Loveliest of hills, whatever hills may be Loved for the spell Of names that in the memory last, And with strange sweetness link our present to the past! Mont' Amiata, thou Shalt take the envoy of this sorrow-song! For thou still gazest down On Chiusi, and Siena's marble crown, The bare hill-brow Where gleams Cortona, and the strong Light of the lands I love, the lands for which I long. JOHN ADDINGTON SYMONDS. UMBRIA IN UMBRIA UNDER a roof of twisted boughs Unseen, along the sunken way Say that a pilgrim, journeying long, From that loud land that lies to west, Where tongues debate of right and wrong, Would be "The Little Poor Man's" guest; Would learn "The Lark's" divine "Sun-Song," And how glad hearts are blest. Say: "Master, we of over-seas Confess that oft our hearts are set On gold and gain; and if, with these, For lore of books we strive and fret, Perchance some lore of bended knees And saint-hood we forget; "Still, in one thought our lips are bold- The hands that toil are fair. "Therefore, forgive; assoil each stain Thou dost not answer. Down the track Where now I thought thy feet must pass, With patient step and burdened back Go, "Brother Ox" and "Brother Ass." A mountain cloud looms swift and black, O'ershadowing stone and grass. The silver leaves are turned to gray; There comes no sound from hedge nor tree; Only a voice from far away, Borne o'er the silent hills to me, Entreats: "Be light of heart to-day: To-morrow joy shall be. "The glad of heart no hope betrays, Since 'Mother Earth' and 'Sister Death' HELEN J. SANBORN. |