BETA

A Woman’s Keepsake.

I.

This I show you, dearest, this is1
More than just a yellow flower,2
This was hallowed by your kisses,3
Severed in a sacred hour,4
Laid by your warm hand in
mine,5
And I hold it thus divine.6

II.

Where the longest rushes shiver7
With their flower-heads full in
June,8
Bending o’er the eddying river9
As it modulates its tune,10
In among the reeds alone11
This fair iris-bloom was blown.12

III.

Could it be to-day, I wonder ?13
For it seems so sweet and far,—14
Scarce a man’s arm-length
asunder,15
Where the reeds and lilies are,16
You and I were floating thus,17
While the blackcap sang to us.18

IV.

Suddenly you downward darted,19
Drew the three-winged wonder
up,20
And I caught it — though I
started—21
In my lap as in a cup :22
See ! its scentless leaves express23
Our unspoken happiness.24

V.

Blessed flower, whom Death pur-
suing25
Cannot rob of life for me,—26
Thou, whose fluttering papery ruin27
I shall watch with ecstasy,—28
Fade, thy memory still will keep29
Fresh for me as dew or sleep !30

VI.

Thou art buried safe for ever31
In the cassia of this kiss !32
Sister-blossoms in the river33
None have such a tomb as this ;34
In their void and hurrying
stream35
None can dream as thou shalt
dream.36

VII.

Over thee a girl shall hover37
Raining tears of deep delight,38
Till the image of her lover39
Flash across her inward sight,40
And thy faded leaves unfold41
Their old visionary gold.42
Edmund W. Gosse.