[BNP/E3, 77 – 62]

Songs

Sub Umbrâ.

As when the moon which on a wide deep stream

Makes every wavelet glint with silver light,

By some black cloud, a shadow of the night

ls but awhile obscured, yet still gleam

The waves in darkness, to no falling beam,

And please in shade with the obscure delight

Of a profounder motion, stilly dight

With softened silver, like a thing of dream;

So may for e'er my song its force retain,

And though a cloud o'ercast my weary mind

Let that but fill the glitter of my strain

With staider sweetness, showing to mankind

That though beneath a cloud I can sustain

My wonted song, to hope and bliss not blind.

Alexander Search.

August, 1904.