James Thomson Poems

I

"Why are your songs all wild and bitter sad
As funeral dirges with the orphans' cries?
...

Would some little joy to-day
Visit us, heart!
Could it but a moment stay,
Then depart,
...

Their eyes met; flashed an instant like swift swords
That leapt unparring to each other's heart,
Jarring convulsion through the inmost chords;
Then fell, for they had fully done their part.
...

For I must sing of all I feel and know,
Waiting with Memnon passive near the palms,
Until the heavenly light doth dawn and grow
And thrill my silence into mystic psalms;
...

I

His eyes found nothing beautiful and bright,
Nor wealth nor honour, glory nor delight,
...

Waking one morning
In a pleasant land,
By a river flowing
Over golden sand:--
...

The wine of Love is music,
And the feast of Love is song:
And when Love sits down to the banquet,
Love sits long:
...

Who has a thing to bring
For a gift to our lord the king,
Our king all kings above?
A young girl brought him love;
...

In the endless nights, from my bed, where sleepless in anguish I lie,
I startle the stillness and gloom with a bitter and strong cry:
0 Love! 0 Beloved long lost! come down from thy Heaven above,
For my heart is wasting and dying in uttermost famine for love!
...