("You have not known...")

Iv

There have been many Junes with larkspur blowing,

Many Octobers with crimson-berried haws,

When from my heart regret like smoke withdraws,

Wreath after wreath, to watch the sunsets glowing,

And see tall poplars make so brave a showing

Against pale skies at dusk. There were no flaws

To mar the summer for me; never pause

In my delight for winds and waters flowing.

Yet was all beauty beauty uncompleted,

Vaguely perceived, not truly heard and seen;

Or seen as are the hills with mist between,

Or heard as song thin echoes have repeated;

Until you gave earth meaning, giving me

The love that lifts the heart to hear and see.

v

You have not known the autumns I have known.

November for you has bloomed as bright as spring,

With tropic suns to glow and birds to sing,

And flowers more vivid than mine in August blown.

You have made, beside, those autumns half your own

That come with ice and sleet and wind, to sting

The blood itself to ruddy blossoming-

Such autumns as the bleak North knows alone.

My autumns are merely quiet, and they show

Straight trees that are bared alike of leaves and snow-

Yet it is only thus you can know the trees.

Love proud enough to forego bloom and song,

To strip the boughs of foliage; bare and strong

To bide your judgment, would be most like these.

vi

It would be easy to say: "The moon and lake

Made wizardry-how could we see aright?

That was a world unreal in silver light,

And we were lovers for the moment's sake.

It was youth spoke in us, quick to mistake

Earth-lamp for dawn, the mirage for true sight;

Hailing a hill-crest as the long-sought height,

Swearing such oaths as honors us to break."

That would be easiest: then no regret

Could chill a heart grown happy to forget,

Nor touch a soul that sophistry sufficed.

There was a man once, in a hall of trial,

Thrice before cock-crow uttered such denial-

And knows forever that he denied the Christ!

vil

I make no question of your right to go-

Rain and swift lightning, thunder and the sea,