And how I muse on marriage, as I bow In G.o.d's own places, with a throbbing brow?

And how, at night, I dream of kissing thee?"

XIII.

But thou did'st answer: "First behold this man!

He is thy lord, for love's and lady's sake; He is thy master, or I much mistake."

And I perceiv'd, hard by, a phantom wan And wild and kingly, who did, walking, span The open s.p.a.ce that lay beside the brake.

XIV.

It was Beethoven. It was he who came From monstrous shades, to journey yet awhile In pleasant nooks, and vainly seek the smile Of one lov'd woman--she to whom his fame Had been a glory had she sought the same, And lov'd a soul so grand, so free from guile.

XV.

It was the Kaiser of the land of song, The giant-singer who did storm the gates Of Heaven and h.e.l.l, a man to whom the Fates Were fierce as furies, and who suffer'd wrong And ached and bore it, and was brave and strong, But gaunt as ocean when its rage abates.

XVI.

I knew his tread. I knew him by his look Of pent-up sorrow--by his hair unkempt And torn attire--and by his smile exempt From all but pleading. Yet his body shook With some great joy; and onward he betook His echoing steps the way that I had dreamt.

XVII.

I bow'd my head. The lordly being pa.s.s'd.

He was my king, and I did bow to him.

And when I rais'd mine eyes they were as dim As tears could make them. And the moon, aghast, Glared in the sky; and westward came a blast Which shook the earth like shouts of cherubim.

XVIII.

I held my breath. I could have fled the place, As men have fled before the wrath of G.o.d.

But I beheld my Lady where she trod The darken'd path; and I did cry apace: "Help me, my Lady!" and thy l.u.s.trous face Gladden'd the air, and quicken'd all the sod.

XIX.

Then did I hear again that voice of cheer.

"Lovest thou me," it said, "or music best?"

I seized thy hand, I drew thee to my breast, "Thee, only thee!" I cried. "From year to year, Thee, only thee--not fame!" And silver-clear, Thy voice responded: "G.o.d will grant the rest."

XX.

I kiss'd thine eyes. I kiss'd them where the blue Peep'd smiling forth; and proudly as before I heard the tones that thrill'd me to the core.

"If thou love me," they said, "if thou be true, Thou shalt have fame, and love, and music too!"

Entranced I kiss'd the lips that I adore.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Letter IX TO-MORROW]

LETTER IX.

TO-MORROW.

I.

O Love! O Love! O Gateway of Delight!

Thou porch of peace, thou pageant of the prime Of all G.o.d's creatures! I am here to climb Thine upward steps, and daily and by night To gaze beyond them, and to search aright The far-off splendour of thy track sublime.

II.

For, in thy precincts, on the further side, Beyond the turret where the bells are rung, Beyond the chapel where the rites are sung, There is a garden fit for any bride.

O Love! by thee, by thee are sanctified The joys thereof to keep our spirits young.

III.

By thee, dear Love! by thee, if all be well-- And we be wise enough to own the touch Of some bright folly that has thrill'd us much-- By thee, till death, we may regain the spell Of wizard Merlin, and in every dell Confront a Muse, and bow to it as such.

IV.

Love! Happy Love! Behold me where I stand This side thy portal, with my straining eyes Turn'd to the Future. Cloudless are the skies, And, far adown the road which thou hast spann'd, I see the groves of that elected land Which is the place I call my paradise.

V.

But what is this? The plains are known to me; The hills are known, the fields, the little fence, The noisy brook as clear as innocence, And this old oak, the wonder of the lea, Which stops the wind to know if there shall be Sorrow for men, or pride, or recompense.

VI.

I know these things, yet hold it little blame To know them not, though in their proud array, The flowers advance to make the world so gay.

Ah, what a change! The things I know by name Look unfamiliar all, and, like a flame, The roses burn upon the hedge to-day.

VII.

The gra.s.s is velvet. There are pearls thereon, And golden signs, and braid that doth appear Made for a bridal. This is fairy gear If I mistake not. I shall know anon.

Nature herself will teach me how to con The new-found words to thank the glowing year.