Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
Poems of Sentiment: III. MemoryThe Brier-Wood Pipe
Charles Dawson Shanly (18111875)H
And now for a smoke as I lie, with the moonlight, out in the clover.
But it turns my heart to the Northward—Harry gave it to me.
But a softness comes over my heart, when all are asleep and quiet.
As the breath from my brier-wood pipe curls up between me and the sky.
O, I shook, but my heart felt good, as it spread out its hands and spoke;
Where lovers would come in the twilight, two ever, for company.
When the flowers were full in their blow; the birds, in their song and feather.
Looking in each other’s eyes, like pigeons that kiss and coo.
And the passion that glowed in the eyes, and the lightning looks that darted!
I am the soul of the bush, and the spirits call me Sweet Brier.”
And the words went straight to my heart, like the stroke of the fire-bell.
I ’m glad the boys are asleep, for I ain’t in the humor to joke.
The smoke of my pipe arises; my heart will be quiet, soon.
I hear the bell from the tower, I run with the swift machine,
The foreman’s hail through the trumpet comes with a hollow roar.
Where I put in my licks at Big Paul, come between me and the moon.
We are marching on our muscle, the Fire-Zouave recruits!
On the white marble steps, as we march through the heart of the city.
And the splendid lady who gave me the havelock for my cap.
A beautiful white-robed lady; my heart will be quiet, soon.
Who gave me the snow-white havelock—but what does she care for me?
I with my sledge-hammer knuckles, she with her jewelled hand!
With the red stream of my life-blood staining the hefty clover.
Devils are we for the battle—Will there be angels there?
Brings back the white-robed lady with hair like the golden wine!