The Gardener's Boy

ALL day I have fed on lilied thoughts of her,' The gardener's boy sang in Gethsemane. 'She is quick, her garments make a lovely stir, Like the wind going in an almond tree. She is young, she hath doves' eyes, and like the vine Her hands enclose me,–hers as she is mine. 'She shall feed among the lilies where I am, Learning their silver names. When evening grows, One bower shall hold me and my love, my lamb. Which shall I clasp,' he sang, 'her or the rose?' When the palm shadow barred the juniper He lay at last to sleep and dream of her. He saw not those who came when night was deep Up from the city, walking hastily. One seemed a strong man wan for fear and sleep. One bore a lantern. One moved stumblingly. The gardener's boy dreamed on the sunburned sod, Smiling beside the agony of God.