The Soul's Quest and Other Poems

by Frederick George Scott

 

LOVE'S SHADOWS

 
THERE come dull days in love’s clear atmosphere,
    When clouds and doubt obscure the wide expanse.
    The woods are still; no songs of birds entrance;
No sunlight falls, and desolate and drear,
As if harmonious with the lurking fear
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    Which sucks love’s peace, the leaden waves that glance
    From rock-bound coast the general gloom enhance;
And spectral winds are wailing far and near.

When suddenly, and oft in darkest hour,
    I hear some strain of music, or some voice,
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        Or some of thy drear writing chance I see,
When, lo! The spell is broken, and the power
    Of darkness, earth, and sea, and sky rejoice,
        And all my being thrills with songs of thee.

1886.