THE GARDEN OF DESIRE
LOVE SONNETS TO A SPANISH MONK
BY
EDNA WORTHLEY UNDERWOOD
[Illustration: [Logo]]
NEW YORK & LONDON
MITCHELL KENNERLEY
1913
_Copyright, 1913, by
Mitchell Kennerley_
_Printed in America_
I
_THE GARDEN OF DESIRE_
“O, holy God of Love, thou guidest there the heart where
hindrances are.”
Kalidasa. (_Malavika and Agnimitra_)
I
I hastened homeward through the twilight lone
While on my lips your kisses stung like flame,
Burning to purest white the rose of shame
That leaped between us, scarlet lipped, full blown;
Within my ears your Spanish speech made moan;
I saw nor mud, mist, gray, wet streets; there came
As in a vision, Spain of splendid name.
Your castle in Love’s Land—there, we, alone!
Gone! Gone! Here by the window now I wait
For him to whom I owe yet give not love;
Watching the bird-winged night drop from above,
Grouped church spires, like frail hands up-flung to Fate,
On windows through which answering night lights chime,
I hear the passionless, cold rain of Winter time!