William Crafts Poems

The snow-drop is in bloom,
And the young earth's perfume,
Scents anew the floating air;
...

Love stray'd into an aviary,
For Love is fond of melody;
They brought him out the birds to see,
That Love might choose for you and me.
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Awake him not—he dreams of bliss,
His little lips put forth to kiss;
His arms entwined in virgin grace,
Seem link'd in beautiful embrace.
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Be as thou art for ever young,
Still on thy cheek the vernal bloom,
The honey's essence on thy tongue,
And on thy lips the rose perfume.
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Love went to the Capuchin Church,
But soon came out again;
For after all his eager search,
He saw there only men.
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Sweet little Bird, whose breath
Was ever tun'd with glee;
I little thought that death
Would lay his hands on thee.
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Observe, my love, yon western star,
Just sinking in the shades of night;
To-morrow it will see me far
From thee, more lovely than its light!
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The breakers are between us, love,
And thou art on the sea,
Would that I were a swift-winged dove,
And I would follow thee.
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The breakers are foaming and dashing along,
The pelican sits on the wave;
The sea-gull and curlew are mingling their song,
With the scream of the winds as they rave.
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Child of neither land nor sea,
Yet to both of them allied;
Offspring of a fair ladye,
Who in depths of ocean died.
...