Edmund Clarence Stedman, ed. (1833–1908). A Victorian Anthology, 1837–1895. 1895.

Robert Seymour Bridges 1844–1930

Awake, My Heart!

BridgesR

AWAKE, my heart, to be lov’d, awake, awake!

The darkness silvers away, the morn doth break,

It leaps in the sky: unrisen lustres slake

The o’ertaken moon. Awake, O heart, awake!

She, too, that loveth awaketh and hopes for thee;

Her eyes already have sped the shades that flee,

Already they watch the path thy feet shall take:

Awake, O heart to be lov’d, awake, awake!

And if thou tarry from her,—if this could be,—

She cometh herself, O heart, to be lov’d, to thee;

For thee would unasham’d herself forsake:

Awake to be lov’d, my heart, awake, awake!

Awake! The land is scatter’d with light, and see,

Uncanopied sleep is flying from field and tree;

And blossoming boughs of April in laughter shake:

Awake, O heart, to be lov’d, awake, awake!

Lo, all things wake and tarry and look for thee:

She looketh and saith, “O sun, now bring him to me.

Come, more ador’d, O ador’d, for his coming’s sake,

And awake, my heart, to be lov’d, awake, awake!”