Alas, O Lovely One, Imprisoned here, I tap; thou answerest not, I doubt, and fear. Yet transparent as glass these walls, If thou lean near. Last dusk, at those high bars There came, scarce-heard, Claws, fluttering feathers, Of deluded bird -- With one shrill, scared, faint note The silence stirred. Rests in that corner, In puff of dust, a straw -- Vision of harvest-fields I never saw, Of strange green streams and hills, Forbidden by law. These things I whisper, For I see -- in mind -- Thy caged cheek whiten At the wail of wind, That thin breast wasting; unto Woe resigned. Take comfort, listen! Once we twain were free; There was a Country -- Lost the memory. . . Lay thy cold brow on hand, And dream with me. Awaits me torture; I have smelt their rack; From spectral groaning wheel Have turned me back; Thumbscrew and boot, and then -- The yawning sack. Lean closer, then! Lay palm on stony wall. Let but thy ghost beneath Thine eyelids call: 'Courage, my brother!' Nought Can then appal. Yet coward, coward am I, And drink I must When clanks the pannikin With the longed-for crust; Though heart within is sour With disgust. Long hours there are, When mutely tapping -- well, Is it to Vacancy I these tidings tell? Knock these numb fingers against An empty cell? Nay, answer not. Let still mere longing make Thy presence sure to me, While in doubt I shake: Be but my Faith in thee, For sanity's sake. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE THROSTLE by ALFRED TENNYSON SONNET: 1 by RICHARD BARNFIELD THE FARMER'S SOLILOQUY by ROBERT CHARLES O'HARA BENJAMIN IDYLL 6. CLEODAMUS AND MYRSON by BION VERSES IN A WATCH by WILLIAM CZAR BRADLEY TO THE MOST SCARED KING JAMES by THOMAS CAMPION |