Aelfrida
Tillyard .
I'd
plant
a
hedge
of
briar -rose
Across
the paths
that
stray ,
Until
at last
thou
wouldst
forget
That
thou
hadst
walked
that way .
But yet
if
e'er I durst
to
look
Into
some
strange
man 's
eyes,
Thou
wouldst
be just as
Jewish
God ,
Impassive
as
the
skies .
* TWO
THINGS.
TWO things I ask
of you , and
they
are
these,
When
all my
little
deeds
and
I
are dead ,
And
life's last
wave has
gathered
o'er my head ,
Forget me, as
you
would
forget the breeze
That
sudden
stirs at nightfall
in the trees
And
with
the first bright
peep of stars
is
Aled.
My
soul starts
out alone without
a dread
And
longs
to
drink
oblivion
to
the
lees .
But
if
from
out my
sombre
life
I
flung
Some
spark
of
song
that
sprang
afire
and
sung
Such
strains as woke
your
song
to answer mine ,
Memory
be brazier for
the
sacred
fire ,
And
unforgetting
praise
your
priests ' attire .
I would
be mortal
and my words
divine.
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