Poem: “Nepenthe” by Henry Van Dyke

Download PDF

American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Henry Van Dyke – Poems by Henry Van Dyke
< < < The Gentle Traveller
Day and Night > > >

Nepenthe

Yes, it was like you to forget,And cancel in the welcome of your smileMy deep arrears of debt,And with the putting forth of both your handsTo sweep away the bars my folly setBetween us—bitter thoughts, and harsh demands,And reckless deeds that seemed untrueTo love, when all the whileMy heart was aching through and throughFor you, sweet heart, and only you.

Yet, as I turned to come to you again,I thought there must be many a mileOf sorrowful reproach to cross,And many an hour of mutual painTo bear, until I could make plainThat all my pride was but the fear of loss,And all my doubt the shadow of despairTo win a heart so innocent and fair;And even that which looked most illWas but the fever-fret and effort vainTo dull the thirst which you alone could still.

But as I turned, the desert miles were crossed,And when I came, the weary hours were sped!For there you stood beside the open door,Glad, gracious, smiling as before,And with bright eyes and tender hands outspreadRestored me to the Eden I had lost.Never a word of cold reproof,No sharp reproach, no glances that accuseThe culprit whom they hold aloof,—Ah, ’tis not thus that other women useThe empire they have won!For there is none like you, beloved,—noneSecure enough to do what you have done.Where did you learn this heavenly art,—You sweetest and most wise of all that live,—With silent welcome to impartAssurance of the royal heartThat never questions where it would forgive?

None but a queen could pardon me like this!My sovereign lady, let me layWithin each rosy palm a loyal kissOf penitence, then close the fingers up,Thus—thus! Now give the cupOf full nepenthe in your crimson mouth,And come—the garden blooms with bliss,The wind is in the south,The rose of love with dew is wet—Dear, it was like you to forget!

< < < The Gentle Traveller
Day and Night > > >

American Literature – Children Books – American Poetry – Henry Van Dyke – Poems by Henry Van Dyke

If you liked this article, subscribe , put likes, write comments!

Share on social networks

Visit us on Facebook or Twitter

Check out Our Latest Posts

Nepenthe

Leave a comment Cancel reply