XXI. Longing.

I ENVY seas whereon he rides,
        I envy spokes of wheels
Of chariots that him convey,
        I envy speechless hills

That gaze upon his journey;
        How easy all can see
What is forbidden utterly
        As heaven, unto me!

I envy nests of sparrows
        That dot his distant eaves,
The wealthy fly upon his pane,
        The happy, happy leaves

That just abroad his window
        Have summer's leave to be,
The earrings of Pizarro
        Could not obtain for me.

I envy light that wakes him,
        And bells that boldly ring
To tell him it is noon abroad, --
        Myself his noon could bring,

Yet interdict my blossom
        And abrogate my bee,
Lest noon in everlasting night
        Drop Gabriel and me.