Classic Poem

EXPECTANCY .

Summer , rain me a rain of rose-leaves;
Only on rose-leaves she shall tread!
Summer, rain me a rain of rose-leaves
Over the banquet Love hath spread.

Never Orient feast so splendid,
Viands so costly, wines so rare;
Never showers of bloom descended
Veiling a princess half so fair!

Summer, make her a couch of roses,
Pillows of rose-leaves lightly prest;
Odors sweet when my Love reposes
Dreamily drifting round her rest!

Come, Beloved, the feast awaits thee:
Cruelly traitor moments flee!
Is it sorrow or joy belates thee?
Heedest thou aught unshared by me!

Coming! O rapture more than mortal!
Softly the gates of bliss unclose;
Silence, guarding the sacred portal,
Wears in her breast the symbol rose!