5. In the Sunrise
Sweet, in the sunrise you and I,
Clasping the love we may not read,
Hear in the rout that eddies by
Unwonted voices strained and high,—
Love we, the while they bleed.
Now in the dawn their voices seem
Broken and sad with pain and fret,—
But we are lovers in a dream
Wherefrom we may not waken yet.
Sweetheart, see: the night is gone,
Love is rising,—Love the Dawn!
Yea, for the chill years you and I
Snatch from the world a gilded cup
And in our fingers hold on high
The magic ichor of Live-or-Die,—
Laugh we to drink it up!
Mark how the war-notes wild and weird
Fall on the faint wind of the south,
And all our war hath disappeared,—
Sweet, I am thirsty for thy mouth!
Sweetheart, see where flames the Day,
Love the Dawn illumes our way.
Here it is Dawn, but bye-and-bye
When Evening draws his sable cloak,
Shall Love be lost? Alone shall I
Pursue the quest where barren lie
My conquests low in smoke?
Never an answer try to speak
For Time it is must answer this;
Lean but thy cheek against my cheek,
Turn but thy kiss to meet my kiss!
Sweetheart, see: their fire dies,
Quenched in the Love-Dawn in thine eyes!