Poems (Taylor)/The Supreme Wish

THE SUPREME WISH
I.

God give you joy, I said,—and joy you had.
  But how the the dancing tired
Your subtile feet!—and from the pageant glad
  Your eyes most uninspired
Wearily turned toward the wistful West:—
  So now, God give you rest.

II.

God give you love, I said,—and love's delight
  Deep-dyed your purple eyes:—
But now, vague Soul, that wanderest careless quite
  Of where the censers rise,
With listless lips and hands, and flaming breast,—
  I pray, God give you rest.

III.

God give you rest, my queen. No earthly flowers
  Upon that golden hair
Can lightly lie, no low love-song of ours
  But tires you to despair.
God crown you softly with His lilies blest,
  O Sweet, God give you rest!