Classic Poem

I

( To A. F. B. )

A MBERLOCKS and Ravenswing
Wandered hand in hand,
Singing about everything
They could understand.
Amberlocks and Ravenswing
Ever had a mind to sing!

Were they happy, were they drear,
Swift they told their mind,
Tho' they met no listener
But the hasty wind;
And the weeds, that could not choose,
Had to hear the oldest news.
Very, very busy they,
Making poetrys all the day:
Pointed stars out, each to each,
With no need of other speech,
Sunned their heads and wet their shoes,
Trudged the roads and sang the news,
(Since they had a mind to sing!)
Slept and went a-berrying.
When they had no thing to say,
Still they sang the livelong day:
" Nothing, Nothing, Not a thing!"
Amberlocks and Ravenswing.

II

Rain is here; winds are drear;
Crocus-buds are sleeping.
Open door, and lend some cheer
To the little Child you hear
Weeping.

Love is such a little child,
Simple altogether;
When you've kissed him once, and smiled,
He will never know it's wild
Weather!

III

To his Song: that It may bring Him News of Her and That Quickly

Little Song, come here to me,
Malapert but dear to me,
— Little Sirrah Song!
Shake thy wings of snow for her:
Dry thy locks and go to her;
Carol, chaunt or crow to her
But tarry not too long.

Thou must come away again,
Hurry home and say again
If she's red or pale;
If she laugh, or if she blush;
If she listen, in a hush,
As to Linnet in a bush,
Or a merry Tale!

For a dimple, or a frown,
Take thy quill and set it down.
Do not dream thereon,
While I hunger but for this:
Not a look of hers to miss;
And if there should be a kiss,
Up, thou Snail, begone!