Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, LISTEN, LADY!, by JOHN LAURENCE RENTOUL


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

LISTEN, LADY!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Listen, lady! Let me sing
Last Line: Looks and wins the sea!
Alternate Author Name(s): Gage, Gervais
Subject(s): Hearts; Love - Cultural Differences; Loyalty; Passion; Relationships


LISTEN, lady! let me sing
What I may not speak:
Song shall hide heart-faltering
Where all words were weak.

Maiden, shall I tell thee why
All this life of mine,
'Mid the great world flitting by,
Mingled is with thine?

By the mountain, glade, or glen,
City-mart or sea,
All my hope, for deeds and men,
Coloured is by thee!

Like a bright enwoven thread
In the woof of Thought,
Through my heart and through my head
Thv sweet name is wrought.

Brightest blue of morning skies
Brighter seems to me,
And the eve a gentler guise
Wears, because of thee.

Sweetest music seems more sweet,
For in it I hear
Harmony of coming feet
Telling thou art near.

Yea, Life's fight beneath the sun,
O my Queen, can be
Firmer fought and nobler won
Through the thought of thee!

Never yet between us twain
Greeting or farewell,
Words of parting or of pain
Or of troth befell.

Yet, beneath the Moon's sweet reign,
Reigning silently,
Flows, and ebbs, and flows amain
All the speechless sea.

Lady, draw me with thine eyes,
As the Moon the Sea,
All my heart shall loyal rise
Dumb, but strong, for thee!

Yes, I cannot tell thee why
All this life of mine,
'Mid the great world flitting by,
Mingled is with thine:

For I cannot tell the grace,
Winsome, proud, and sweet,
That is writ on brow and face,
Writ from head to feet—

Of the lady that I love:
Lady, look on me
As the Maid-queen from above
Looks and wins the Sea!





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