IV
A Carrier Song
I.
SINCE you have waned from us,Fairest of women!I am a darkened cageSong cannot hymn in.My songs have followed you,Like birds the summer;Ah! bring them back to me,Swiftly, dear comer!Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!
II.
Where wings to rustle use,But this poor tarrier—Searching my spirit’s eaves—Find I for carrier.Ah! bring them back to meSwiftly, sweet comer!Swift, swift, and bring with youSong’s Indian summer!Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!
III.
Whereso your angel is,My angel goeth;I am left guardianless,Paradise knoweth!I have no Heaven leftTo weep my wrongs to;Heaven, when you went from us;Went with my songs too.Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!
IV.
I have no angels leftNow, Sweet, to pray to:Where you have made your shrineThey are away to.They have struck Heaven’s tent,And gone to cover you:Whereso you keep your stateHeaven is pitched over you!Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!
V.
She that is Heaven’s QueenHer title borrows,For that she pitifulBeareth our sorrows.So thou, Regina mî,Spes infirmorum;With all our grieving crownedMater dolorum!Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!
VI.
Yet, envious coveterOf other’s grieving!This lonely longing yet’Scapeth your reaving.Cruel! to take from aSinner his Heaven!Think you with contrite smilesTo be forgiven?Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!
VII.
Penitent! give me backAngels, and Heaven;Render your stolen self,And be forgiven!How frontier Heaven from you?For my soul prays, Sweet,Still to your face in Heaven,Heaven in your face, Sweet!Seraphim,Her to hymn,Might leave their portals;And at my feet learnThe harping of mortals!