HESTER, creature of my love, What is this? You love not me? On the stair you stand above, Looking down distrustfully With the corners of your eyes Watching me in mute surprise, Me, your father, only me. Hester, why this foolish terror, You who know me and my ways? Was my love so writ in error That it needed your disgrace? Is your doubt of locks grown thin Or the beard which hides his chin His, your father's chin and face? Hester, we were fools of passion When our last goodbyes were smiled. Now you stand in your strange fashion By my kisses unbeguiled, With your light foot turned to flee While I press you to my knee, You, my child, my only child. Listen, Hester, I am able Still to flatter and be fond: You the wise crow of the fable Perched above me and beyond. Foolish! Not one word you speak To my praises of your cheek, Not one sound, one only sound! Be it so. My love you mock it, And my sighs are empty wind. See, I shut my heart and lock it From your laughing eyes unkind. Yet, remember this last word, Love is two-edged like a sword. Mind this only, only mind! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...GOD'S GARDEN by RICHARD EUGENE BURTON THE OLD FAMILIAR FACES by CHARLES LAMB TO --, WITH ARTHUR AND ALBINA by MATILDA BARBARA BETHAM-EDWARDS HUGH STUART BOYD: LEGACIES by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING A MOTHER'S SONG by FRIEDA MARTINI BUCHEN TO GAVIN HAMILTON, RECOMMENDING A BOY by ROBERT BURNS THE TOYS' COMPLAINT by AMELIA JOSEPHINE BURR TOWARDS DEMOCRACY: PART 2. O LOVE - TO WHOM THE POETS by EDWARD CARPENTER |