Selected Poems of Francis Thompson — A Carrier Song

A CARRIER SONG

Since you have waned from us, Fairest of women, I am a darkened cage Song cannot hymn in.

My songs have followed you, Like birds the summer;

Ah!

bring them back to me, Swiftly, dear comer!

_Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;

And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!

_ Whereso your angel is, My angel goeth;

I am left guardianless, Paradise knoweth!

I have no Heaven left To weep my wrongs to;

Heaven, when you went from us, Went with my songs too.

_Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;

And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!

_ I have no angels left Now, Sweet, to pray to: Where you have made your shrine They are away to.

They have struck Heaven's tent, And gone to cover you: Whereso you keep your state Heaven is pitched over you!

_Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;

And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!

_ She that is Heaven's Queen Her title borrows, For that she, pitiful, Beareth our sorrows.

So thou, _Regina mi, Spes infirmorum_;

With all our grieving crowned _Mater dolorum!

Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;

And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!

_ Yet, envious coveter Of other's grieving!

This lonely longing yet 'Scapeth your reaving.

Cruel to take from a Sinner his Heaven!

Think you with contrite smiles To be forgiven?

_Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;

And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!

_ Penitent!

give me back Angels, and Heaven;

Render your stolen self, And be forgiven!

How frontier Heaven from you?

For my soul prays, Sweet, Still to your face in Heaven, Heaven in your face, Sweet!

_Seraphim, Her to hymn, Might leave their portals;

And at my feet learn The harping of mortals!

_