FOR THE BRIAR ROSE

THE BRIARWOOD

The fateful slumber floats and flows About the tangle of the rose; But lo! the fated hand and heart To rend the slumberous curse apart!

THE COUNCIL ROOM

The threat of war, the hope of peace, The Kingdom's peril and increase Sleep on, and bide the latter day, When Fate shall take her chain away.

THE GARDEN COURT

The maiden pleasance of the land Knoweth no stir of voice or hand, No cup the sleeping waters fill, The restless shuttle lieth still.

THE ROSEBOWER

Here lies the h.o.a.rded love, the key To all the treasure that shall be; Come fated hand the gift to take, And smite this sleeping world awake.

ANOTHER FOR THE BRIAR ROSE

O treacherous scent, O th.o.r.n.y sight, O tangle of world's wrong and right, What art thou 'gainst my armour's gleam But dusky cobwebs of a dream?

Beat down, deep sunk from every gleam Of hope, they lie and dully dream; Men once, but men no more, that Love Their waste defeated hearts should move.

Here sleeps the world that would not love!

Let it sleep on, but if He move Their hearts in humble wise to wait On his new-wakened fair estate.

O won at last is never late!

Thy silence was the voice of fate; Thy still hands conquered in the strife; Thine eyes were light; thy lips were life.

THE WOODp.e.c.k.e.r

I once a King and chief Now am the tree-bark's thief, Ever 'twixt trunk and leaf Chasing the prey.

THE LION

The Beasts that be In wood and waste, Now sit and see, Nor ride nor haste.

THE FOREST

PEAR-TREE

By woodman's edge I faint and fail; By craftsman's edge I tell the tale.

CHESTNUT-TREE

High in the wood, high o'er the hall, Aloft I rise when low I fall.

OAK-TREE

Unmoved I stand what wind may blow.

Swift, swift before the wind I go.

POMONA

I am the ancient Apple-Queen, As once I was so am I now.

For evermore a hope unseen, Betwixt the blossom and the bough.

Ah, where's the river's hidden Gold!

And where the windy grave of Troy?

Yet come I as I came of old, From out the heart of Summer's joy.