Sonnet I.

Love Enthroned.

I marked all kindred Powers the heart finds fair: –

Truth, with awed lips; and Hope, with eyes upcast;

And Fame, whose loud wings fan the ashen Past

To signal-fires, Oblivion's flight to scare;

And Youth, with still some single golden hair

Unto his shoulder clinging, since the last

Embrace wherein two sweet arms held him fast;

And Life, still wreathing flowers for Death to wear.

Love's throne was not with these; but far above

All passionate wind of welcome and farewell

He sat in breathless bowers they dream not of;

Though Truth foreknow Love's heart, and Hope foretell,

And Fame be for Love's sake desirable,

And Youth be dear, and Life be sweet to Love.

Sonnet II.

Bridal Birth.

As when desire, long darkling, dawns, and first

The mother looks upon the newborn child,

Even so my Lady stood at gaze and smiled

When her soul knew at length the Love it nurs’d.

Born with her life, creature of poignant thirst

And exquisite hunger, at her heart Love lay

Quickening in darkness, till a voice that day

Cried on him, and the bonds of birth were burst.