Classic Audiobook Collection - Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross ~ Full Audiobook [poetry]

Starting point is 00:00:00 section one of songs of love and life by zora cross sonnet one upon a dimpled dawn a year ago i sang a little lyric anxiously and down the world i sent its fragile plea more out of courage than unconquered woe you listening all the ages for the flow of that one song caught its wild note and free and full sang back such melody to me my soul awoke and made the morning glow and now i love you and i bring you here simple and pure the songs of my own heart and flowers of fancy from my awakening mind which have been yours through all this wondrous year ah take them love not for their little art but for myself which in them i have twined End of Section 1. Section 2, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 2. I was alone in a deep dell of dew, wandering, forlorn of hope and comfort here.

Starting point is 00:01:08 My several sins weighed death and sorrow near, and doubt her darkling curtains round me drew. So tremulous with pain my senses grew. I sent a little prayer to God in fear, saying, My father, whom I still hold dear, Shrive a poor sinner that her folly slew. And suddenly, the dell broke into flowers, The gloomy grove bloomed hyaline and fair, And through the scented silence rose a dove,

Starting point is 00:01:37 crooning soft songs along the quiet bowers. I thought twas peace that beat the azure air, But from its pearly pinions, lighted love End of Section 2 Section 3 From Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross

Starting point is 00:01:59 This Librevox recording is in the public domain Read by Elise D Sonnet 3 When first I whispered in your wandering ear, I worship you God smiled through all his skies flinging a starry challenge and surprise Will thou have heaven

Starting point is 00:02:20 or him O holy sear I answered, give me him. Then, tear on tear, the cherub choir that sang above the rise of amber air beneath our father's eyes, shouted a song of praise down all the sphere. For there is neither death nor life in love, and God, whose finger guides eternity, lights paradise with parapets of fire, or which he leans his vasty form above, and, looking through his hills on you and me, feeds heaven upon the flame of our desire. End of Section 3. Section 4. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 00:03:13 This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Sonic 4 Ah, let me string my lute of love for you with threads of that fine feeling you adore. Five threads of five. and five of chastened law i culled from a red rose adorned with dew so shall i sit and sing the summer through and like a song too sweet for singing pour my heart out to its passionate full core that you may know how strong i am how true as a bird singing over distant hills to a far make remoter than the skies sudden upon a night of splendour feels him wake to the great love her being fills so i behold the passion in your eyes and a long languor all my body steals.

Starting point is 00:04:03 End of Section 4. Sonnet 5 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. I give myself to you to do whatever you will with what is yours. This little hand, this cheek, this breast, are but a flowery land where your two live, lips may pluck a garland fair. I'd have you take a rose from here, from there, a sprig of

Starting point is 00:04:38 jasmine, white and passion fanned, and drop the precious wreath when I demand upon the stream of my dark falling hair. For I account you dearer than all men, and bring my beauty to your waiting feet, as a young virgin, her demure desire, unto the white shrine of her God again. For well, know our two wild souls will meet in rich incense of kisses chased as fire. End of Sonnet 5. Section 6 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libre Vox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D.

Starting point is 00:05:27 Sonnet 6 And, while I trembled by your side, one came on wings of wisdom saying, I will show you where the porticos of learning. glowing glow, and gardens heavy with the mead of fame. I slipped my fingers through your hair, and flame of passions stung them till the quiet snow of their pale tapers pained me like a blow, and over you I poured your own dear name. For here, where roses through the lattice twine, and odorous white lilies live and die, casting their magic over you and me, that fame which happily may be yours and mine is drowned in love that musters in its sigh the rushing rhythm of

Starting point is 00:06:10 eternity. End of Section 6. Section 7. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonic 7 Adventure whispered come, set sail with me upon a sea unfathomed of delight, where, through the Painted paradise of night, full argosies of pleasure roll in glee, I'll give you pearls and precious spicery, and filming afric gauzes wove with light, dim Persian perfumes and the smell of white, wild sea foam from a wistful southern sea. I looked into your eyes and, in their deep, beheld the countless countries of the earth, farlands of fragrance and the turquoise drip, of sunny rivers where green willows sleep. All dreams, all dear delights, have.

Starting point is 00:07:07 ruptured birth, where stars from your pure eyes their courage sip. End of Section 7. Section 8, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Lipervox's recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 8 Had I the power of high-brow Jove, I'd build a lotus land of love for you, and sit all day singing such songs that birds would flit from heaven to drink the music I distilled. And, as the rolling sweetness rose and filled the flowery forest till the silence split,

Starting point is 00:07:48 in folds of melody our passions lit, I'd make you monarch, ere the tempest stilled. And when you walked, the flowers would turn and bow, and tall trees bend their bow and fealty, and every little bird sing true and well, because you wore love's crown upon your brow, ruling with you such magic territory like angels in an Eden we would dwell. End of Section 8. Section 9. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat.

Starting point is 00:08:32 Sonnet 9 Poor pale philosophy lifted her eyes to mine across the midnight dusk and said, You and your poet dream on love's white bed, and drown eternity in your frail sighs. I hold the secret of the night. Arise! And come with me and meet the wondrous dead. I guard the garden where the blue winds wed,

Starting point is 00:08:53 sun, stars, and moon in one great paradise. I looked upon a lean, sad countenance. I touched her musty books and turned away. To meet your eyes, beloved, and to smile. Philosophy is but the mind's romance. The bud of night can only blossom day. But our love blooms in Eden all the while. End of Section 9

Starting point is 00:09:15 Section 10 From Songs of Love and Life By Zora Cross This Libravox recording is in the public domain Read by Elise D Sonnet 10 I know a violet bed Where we may lie

Starting point is 00:09:33 Beneath the shady alleys of the air Where Venus holds Adonis By the hair And drains his sweetness Till he fain would die Creep out tonight with me And you and I will merge in ecstasies of hunger there. My body moist on yours, and not a care to court the passage of a pallid sigh.

Starting point is 00:09:54 Oh, love, oh life, I lie upon your breast. I swoon with longing on your smiling mouth. Oh, poet prince, my senses ache and pine. Come, drink me as the living wine and best. And, when your lips have languished to a drought, I'll wet them tingling till they melt in mine. end of section ten section eleven songs of love and life by zora cross this is a liberovoc's recording all liber of ox recordings are in the public domain read by caveat sonnet eleven your brows are like a veil in thessaly where tall brown pines reach to a turquoise sky and i amongst the shadows seem to lie feeling the warm sweet leaves flow over me your hair is all the woods of arcady where nymph and satire in the grasses sigh and every phantom wind that passes by rustles the golden reeds to melody and you are mine all all of you is mine arms hands and feet and burning brow and hair sometimes i think that jove in ruth of earth look round his throng of gods in veils divine and seeing you how fine you were and fair sent you to me to show me heaven's worth end of section eleven section twelve of songs of love and life by zora cross this liberovok's recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet twelve

Starting point is 00:11:35 i find it in your lips and in your eyes i find it in the footfalls that you leave upon my floor from which my fancies weave dreams of diviner realms than summer skies i find it with a sweet and wild surprise when your warm finger like a breath of eve lies on my breast or on my silken sleeve, I find it when you speak and silence dies. And if God kisses me some starry night and leads me to the lip of other shores, where there is neither hate nor love may be, I know through shadows of the filmy light that round the battlements of heaven pours, I'll find you, God and heaven and all to me. End of Section 12. Sonnet 13 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 00:12:33 Read by Elise D. I was beguiled by dreams for many years, listening to those who came in your sweet name. Close-clouded churls who fed my blood with flame and corded me through troubled tides of tears. So passion, masked in scarlet to the ears, drew me upon his knee with awful aim, bruising the blossoms of my breasts with shame,

Starting point is 00:13:02 while I cut courage with the devil's shears. O love, had you not found me that lone night, when passion gnawed me with his thundering ire, I might have slept upon the bed of hell, deep buried in the murk of mad delight. Oh, kiss me, kiss me, or, till through love's liar I hear the long thrill of our wedding bell. End of Sonnet 13.

Starting point is 00:13:33 Section 14. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross This is a Liberovox recording All Libravox recordings are in the public domain Read by caveat Sonnet 14 How have I thirsted all my life to stay The perfect passion of a love like yours

Starting point is 00:13:51 To give myself unto my very cause And spread love's banquet on a sunny day You faint upon my heart Your fingers play About my body till a fountain pours Rich amber anguish downed its satin floors I drink and drink until I reel and sway As some poor traveller are thirst for days

Starting point is 00:14:10 In desert lands Upon a clear stream comes And drinks nor ever seems to get his fill So I, O let me pause and sing my praise Ere through my limbs this loving rapture hums And brims my senses till the overspill End of section 14 Sonnet 15

Starting point is 00:14:33 From Songs of Love and Life By Zora Cross This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. And now that you have given me all this, what, my beloved, can I give to you? My heart?

Starting point is 00:14:53 My mind? My body dipped in dew of love? T'were not enough. Take kiss on kiss. Oh, what my lips could fill you with such bliss. Your soul would flutter through its lids of blue, and, meeting mine, its holy odors strew above the chasm where our passions hiss.

Starting point is 00:15:16 Oh, press your eyelids closer, love on mine. Bend back my slender body. Lean or me. While yet a swimming vapor shades our eyes And darkness drinks with us a draught divine. I am your own, oh sting of ecstasy. Our married breast sleep smothered in their sighs. End of sonnet.

Starting point is 00:15:42 fifteen section sixteen songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet love you have brought to me my perfect soul more sweet than earthly things more precious rare hiding its fragrance in my loosened hair and folding up my body like a scroll o lie with me all night and let the roll of rapture's waves wash over us as bear of anything save love we happily share the joys of our first parents chaste to control my love my peace of heaven god has spilled upon my outstretched hands oh kiss me yet here lying close to you i feel i know my being even now is charged and filled with light and bliss it never shall forget though aeons over my cold corpse shall flow end of section sixteen section seventeen songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet beloved lest i should remember i must swift forget the wonder of last night hot memory would but blacken out my sight and dull my senses till they seem to die how could i live remembering that sigh that breath that sob that all sublime delight eternal joy is death i think and might not such sweet madness kill me coming nigh i died with you that hour or if not merged myself in you commingling all my life within your own until i fled and fled into your blood and my pure pulses surged heaped with the wedded bliss of man and wife dying i lived and living i was dead

Starting point is 00:17:45 end of section seventeen section eighteen songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet eighteen oh core of me my love what is this joy that moves our minds to rapture and our lips to load each others with such balmy sips all heaven within our kisses seem to cloy what is this red ripe life this love alloy that fires our bodies and infirms our bodies and inferring drips, a thrill divine eam to our fingertips, rich with the longings that the gods enjoy. I cannot tell, however, much we kiss. I can but love and love you till I seem, caught in the floating force that nature weaves, and, lying close to you, I drink that bliss, that psyche knew when through her rosy dream she smelt the wings of Cupid Park the leaves. End of Section 18. Section 19, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 00:18:55 This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Sonnet 19 You made of this great world a little bed of blossoms. We two sewed together sweet moon herbs and sunsprays, bordered round complete with grasses of soft shadows brown and red. Here, lilac love to innocence was wed. There, youth held beauty by the jasmine feet,

Starting point is 00:19:23 and truth and purity their teard. tabers beat above each pink and lily pallid head. Ah, love, I plucked a rose today, which now with me awaits your coming to this lee, lying amid the daisies, half-swoon, as if it felt upon its perfumed brow, the laughing bliss that you will bring to me when your hot kisses flood me like full noon. End of Section 19 Section 20. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 00:20:03 Read by caveat. Sonnet 20. Love. Love, it dies. The fragile petals droop, but deep within me dips the dying scent, brimming my mind with love and love's intent, and all my senses to their souls bring troop. Beloved, soft in dream, I idly loop.

Starting point is 00:20:22 The gracious bud within my hair, and pent, with passion watched the fiery firmament, scatter the crowding stars in chain and group. Now you are here. Your body on my own. Smother me all with heaven this perfect night. Press closer to my heart. I would forget.

Starting point is 00:20:41 This rose and I must scent another's own. I love you so. Would love were all delight. To live, to die, like this, till all sun's set. End of Section 20. Section 21. Songs of Love and Life by Zora cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 00:21:07 Read by caveat. Sonnet 21 If there should be a moon above the hill, tonight dip down with me into the sea, of our first passion and with naked glee breathe its ripe wonder to our being spill. Oh, as the moonbeams on the violets spill, rivers of uncontrolled felicity, we'll tune our bodies to a melody,

Starting point is 00:21:30 and set our pulses to a poet's thrill. love love your hot lips tremble on my eyes you droop you swoon in silence over me heaven out of yours my very eyelids sup the stars are running out of paradise i languish perfumed with expectancy beloved kiss me for the moon is up end of section twenty one section twenty two of songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet twenty two steep not my dearest ere to separate me from my body for we twain are one part of the unseen cycle of the sun that fires all mind and matter small and great out of this shell of clay i brought you late you drew my soul and scarce its life begun when lo, it wooes you swift as levens run, through pulse and body as its chosen mate. And now I know that, while I have been here, I have been yours, body and mind and soul, and meeting us two planets breathless still. We melt within each other without fear, widening our wisdom till in joint control we link our love to the Almighty's will.

Starting point is 00:23:04 this Libravox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet twenty three were I a bird upon the greenest tree carolling cadences of love for you I trills such songs along the golden dew that pan, soft piping on a reed of glee in cool crest coverts by the lilting sea would leave his pastures to a sater crew and running barefoot all the forest through marry his longings to the minstrel sea Oh, love, lean down. No birds sang on like this, through lips untutored to a pipe or liar. Our passions breathe their own wild harmony, and pour out music at a clinging kiss. Sing on, no soul, our lyric of desire, for God himself is in the melody.

Starting point is 00:23:55 End of Section 23. Section 24, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. read by Elise D. Sonnet 24 I'll be what air you wish, a bird, a flower, gathering through crystal rivers of the air, moods of the moon and starry spices fare,

Starting point is 00:24:23 to shed them over you from hour to hour. I'll be a little slave without a dower, sitting submissive on your palace stair until you lift me up and bid me wear jewels of ecstasy and share your power. I could not be a woman and refuse odd of your wishes, oh my soul's delight. I could not love you and desire not this, that on to me your least thought may transfuse all that in you most needs me day and night.

Starting point is 00:24:52 In this alone shall I know fullest bliss. End of Section 24. Section 25, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 25 I know no miracle so manifest as that you wrought upon me yesterday, filling with love my chalice of pure clay,

Starting point is 00:25:23 from fragrant fountains of your own dear breast, beaten and sad with aching eyes I pressed, close unto you, and as my body lay, broken with pain and grief you murmured, stay, I am the deathless end of all your quest. I lifted up my bowed and weeping head, borrowing comfort from your arms and eyes, I felt your lips long clinging to my own, and you the best of me was not all dead. I, who had fallen out of paradise, was placed by you

Starting point is 00:25:53 upon my rightful throne. End of Section 25. Sonnet 26, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Liebervox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Oh my beloved, when today you set, all this must perish, and we too will go, soulless and senseless to the dust below. I could but smile and fondle your dear head. I could but catch your fingers as they fled over my throbbing breasts and whisper low. Whence came this beast to lure your fingers flow, these burning pulses leaping passion-fed? Dearest, you had no answer, but your blood, drawing forth.

Starting point is 00:26:47 from mine the primal fires of God, leapt, laughed and shouted, panting into mine, love, love is all, and sweeps in mighty flood, minds, souls, and bodies, from the nameless sod exultant to the feet of the divine. End of Sonnet 26. Section 27, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 27 You call me wife Ah, sweetest name and dear Mother of honor and true chastity

Starting point is 00:27:30 Breathing a lyric odor over me As if a poet drew me to a sphere You drop its music on my listening ear You lull my rest with songs from its pure sea And lilt its measures of divine decree Into my body when you hold me near Oh love, my love, come near. Nearer to my breast, you are my poet, and your kisses press into my soul's celestial cords of fire.

Starting point is 00:27:58 Come nearer yet. Oh, let your spirit rest gently on mine in holiest caress. We sleep, we dream, dissolved in our desire. End of Section 27. Section 28, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. read by caveat sonnet twenty eight give me a child dear heart we have loved long draining each other's sweetness to the last wild drops of honeyed madness falling fast upon our lips in ecstasies of song more love we cried more and still more and strong and fierce the tide of passion filled the vast in measured space of our desire and cast us breathless to the realms the white gods throng my poet let the tempest rise once more, until from spirit out of spirit wise and free we draw our own youth back again, my

Starting point is 00:29:03 dimple chin your eyes and learn the law of everlasting life and all empries from the sweet child that comes to us through pain. End of Section 28. Section 29. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 29.

Starting point is 00:29:34 Dearest, there is no part of us but air. and earth are counterparts your fragrant eyes touching my own some essence of the skies instill therein and all your warm brown hair smells of the sun's slow passion fine and fair i cannot touch your hands but i surprise some element of summer and the size of stars from your red lips i seem to share O love, love, love, dearer than God to me, earth of the earth are we, and light of light, God-born, God-breathing, all are scented souls. In death shall glow, gladdening eternity. So give me love, all love, this perfect night, as round our naked limbs its full fire rolls. End of Section 29. Section 30, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 00:30:31 Elis D. Sonnet 30. Ah, love, back to realities we rush over each lidless dream as boys to play. Fancy's and thoughts may blossom any day, but youth has only once her early flush. Age trammels us, and all her threshers crush passion, delight, and beauty into clay. Time broods upon the bosom of the bay, holding his finger with an ancient hush. So, while we are both young, while my breasts swell tingling to you and life is mostly fire, warm blood and warmer throb of pulse and kiss, strive not our happy passions to dispel. Love. Love, until our bodies both transpire for growing old, we must forswear such bliss.

Starting point is 00:31:23 End of Section 30. Section 31. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 31 We must look round upon our children, dear. Living through them this present and that past, our eyes on future fields will then be cast, our thoughts on other worlds that know not fear.

Starting point is 00:31:53 Happily we shall forget we air loved here. Breathing through finer frames, new hopes, and vast, God leading us by spacious planes at last. We shall sail on to his clear hemisphere. Ah, put your arms about me closer now. Our wedded souls the very stars inspire. Your mouth's on mine, your limbs in mine I fold. Sending all Eden on your dewy brow.

Starting point is 00:32:16 Love knows no age. Eternal is her fire. Happily we shall love more when we are old. End of Section 31. Section 32. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat.

Starting point is 00:32:40 Sonic 32 How foolish were the ancients, oh my soul, who dreamed that death surmounted love-like hours, and decked the marble mound with precious flowers that laughed in lustrous lyrics at their doll, in poppyd urn or antique beryl bowl. They burned the incest to departed hours, thinking that nothing would renew the powers,

Starting point is 00:33:01 life left deserted at a finished goal. Love! Love! There is no death for me and you, swooning with aching tenderness we lie Each within each breathing eternity Kiss me to death my poet For the dew Mouthing our bodies to a scented sigh Will waft our souls to immortality

Starting point is 00:33:20 End of Section 32 Section 33 Songs of Love and Life By Zora Cross This Librevox recording is in the public domain Read by caveat sonnet thirty three ravish my mind as you have done my heart with that seductive fire of your great soul and let my thoughts in close communion roll down life's wide sea on truths unsullied chart my singing senses quicken till they smart my laughing blood thrills passion to its goal so fit my mind as they from love's red bowl whose sense of ecstasy first gave them start oh love such wisdom should encompass me my thought should blaze beyond the stark-pric night

Starting point is 00:34:10 piercing the wonders of a million spheres that roar for ever-round eternity. And through the travail of their holy light, even God would feel our passion in his tears. End off Section 33. Section 34, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonic 34 Oh, could I count the stars that steer the night?

Starting point is 00:34:48 or chronicle the petals of all flowers, perchance my mind attuned to such high powers, could make a record of my heart's sweet white, I could outtell the loves your lips invite, the myriad sweets with which you heap the hours, suffusing all creation with the showers, or thoughts and dreams your changing moods excite. Cold, circumventive flattery may fill the empty annals of less loving men, or proud-eyed praise across their pages write, the long-red rebels that their, their passions spilled, but dipped in stars I could not trust my pen with flowers for words to tell your love's delight. End of Section 34.

Starting point is 00:35:32 Section 35, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross, this Libervox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 35, I cannot find a fault in you, and yet I think you are not perfect many ways. I have seen lips, more meat for me. in praise, and eyes less shadowed with a gray regret. But pure perfection of your love has let the tenant mirrors of my mind such rays. All other men reflect a smoky haze, and in the murk their virtues, I forget. He knows not perfect who has found the best, nor worth who would deny unworthiness, but meanest flowers are fair as any rose when blowing fragrant to our least behest.

Starting point is 00:36:22 So you are perfect in my heart, no less, for that unworthiness my poor mind knows. End of Section 35. Sonnet 36, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sometimes I think my love controls my thought, and then my thought or rules my love twofold. each is subdued with the others hold and i a slave beneath both fetters caught thus will my thought to-day come patience bought tomorrow reigns my love supreme and bold and each departs as he himself grows old leaving full beauty of the dreams he wrought so does the sun drown out his life each day and still turn in the sky so stars grow cold yet the sun grow cold yet the dream of the dreamt sparkle on. And so my love and thought, this one by day, and that by night, hold sway.

Starting point is 00:37:35 Yet both by you are maker-like, controlled, and being otherwise, each should be not. End of Sonnet 36. Sonnet 37, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Elise D. I know not jealousy, save as pure zeal, to lure my love to stricter vigilance. Solicitous of you, I score no chance to grow suspicious of your daily wheel. Doubt is imagination's golden seal, and memory the lattice of romance. I am more jealous of the day's long glance than any memory of doubt I steal.

Starting point is 00:38:27 Time only rivals me Where'er you go Detaining you some white and love some hour I most suspect the minutes that slow spill But jealous of another woman No If you should choose to love a lovely flower I could not love you

Starting point is 00:38:49 Loved I not your will End of Sonnet 37 Section 38 Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross This Librovox recording is in the public domain Read by caveat Sonnet 38 Dearest we die

Starting point is 00:39:15 We smell a love in fears When phantoms beckon where our lips decay Red worms deep fest are all our fragrant clay And silence shuts the sepulchre of tears No longer singing for our rosy ears Life's mad musicians blow the pipes of play the sun spins sparkles for the dancing day, but we make dust for our forgotten beers.

Starting point is 00:39:38 Your flower's soft mouth tilts laughter at such law, if death indeed could be so vile a dream, this golden life were treason unto God, could he who showed us visions of that shore, where truth and beauty mellow in the gleam, leave that which saw them rotting in the sod? End of Section 38. Section 39, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 00:40:05 This Librovox recording is in the public domain Read by caveat Sonnet 39 We live We know we live Our bodies feel Warm, wild desires about our white limbs flee

Starting point is 00:40:20 And eyes drink passion from the eyes they see As listening lovers hear their shadows steal Life has been ours Such as life as wheel on wheel Of sunburnt youth and soften age set free Ambitions fire loves eager revelry, the rose romance that old adventures real. Red life has laughed from out the dark unknown, and drawn creation from a crumb of clay,

Starting point is 00:40:44 with faces to the sun we leave the womb, stretching frail hands to make his fire our own, so when death darkens all the present way, shall larger suns are lure us from the tomb. End of Section 39. Section 40. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librovox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 40 Dearest, if you who are my all should die, vanish away from me and not return,

Starting point is 00:41:20 I should out-hearn the waves that churn and churn, their troubled tides beneath the distant sky, I should grow cold and murmur sigh on sigh. Till at my feet I spilled the fagrant urn of my sweet youth, where passion ceased to burn, in those fair blossoms that your lips sip dry. Dear heart, if you should leave me thus alone, I, by the lack of love, should die forsooth.

Starting point is 00:41:44 For my life should feel the vacancy of your dear death with my eternal moan, so through the glory of my passing youth, you should live on while death remained with me. End of Section 40. Sonnet 41, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Liebervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. But should I go away and leave you, dear,

Starting point is 00:42:20 and you, for me, moved lifelessly in pain? My living soul should fathom peace in vain. And, finding death in you, sob fullest fear. Then I should die again in heaven's still sphere to hear the beating of your heart complain, and drift from paradise to earth again, and come to you and ease your every tear. Woman in man, dear, lives eternally,

Starting point is 00:42:51 for through his scented clay she first felt light. Out of his ribs, she drew her virgin breath, as I drew mine through you at love's decree. So, love, your life with mine cannot take flight, but mine must cease and melt into it. your death. End of Sonnet 41. Section 42. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 00:43:21 This Librovox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonic 42. My true mind makes as many loves of you as my full heart contentedly can hold. And when the one grows dull, the other cold, yet comes another swifter into woo. I could not ruse such changing retinue. chastised circumstance that keeps me bold, I make you young or middle-aged or old, just as it pleases my own whim to do. And then to counterbalance what you give, thus all unwittingly I smile or frown,

Starting point is 00:43:55 and thoughtful, mirthful, grave, or sunny eye, to meet your mood, and help you best to live. In me, all women, to your wish, bow down, in you, all men, at my desire abide. End of section 42. This Libravox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Thus do our minds onto our bodies bring alluring attributes of all desire, until our hearts beat coupled up in fire that burns with some luxurious sweet sting. Sometimes we lie upon the breasts of spring, as gods might lie, and when such joys transpire, we seek a cave and within a savage,

Starting point is 00:44:48 ire as perfect animals we kiss and cling. For we are savages and gods as well. The heirs of earth and all the heavens hold. As long as clay encompasses our souls, all bygone ages in our present dwell. God were not man whose passion died earth cold. And man, not God, who found them, not fresh goals. End of Sonnet 43. section forty four songs of love and life by zora cross this liberovox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet

Starting point is 00:45:32 love is the sepulchre of all my sin if it be sin to let the body sink in that slow dying the sick senses drink that ne'er have felt true love's delight rush in hot vice may sear the bloom of beauty's skin polluting virtue with a painted wink but love smiles likely at such giless's I think, and cures corruption ere her ills begin. I cannot tell the wonder of desire. That flames my cheek when you are by my side, nor dare I speak the secret of that bliss, that set the senses of my soul on fire. Ah, love!

Starting point is 00:46:06 All my sin vanished into pride when I drank heaven from your first pure kiss. End of Section 44. Section 45, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. read by caveat when my imagination swiftly stains the perplexed pinions of my busy mind no longer solely to this shore confined i skim with you hills mountains seas and plains on twinkling steeds we race with slackened rains the spaceless cabins of the morning wind and light long kissing in ourselves enshrined where a quiet night across the world complains two travellers with an earthen cruise we stray along the lagging sands that burn and patch a skin of wine brown bread and love to guide we wander till the co-eternal day alone and charted with the stars we march before us nought behind the ebbing tide

Starting point is 00:47:10 end of section forty five section forty six songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet forty six or growing bolder as a king and queen i dream we sit upon a throne of gold breathing the soul of wisdom till we mould men into gods and passing angels lean out of their spheres to look upon the green contented coppices of wood and wall resembling paradise as we twofold perpetual youth are happy hands between at night the fall of fountains skipping white downstairs of turquoise to a sea of pearl mixes with lull of lutes and languid liars and thrills our senses to such long delight our singing souls from out our bodies curl and call each other to divine desires end of section forty six section forty seven songs of love and life by zora cross this liberovox recording is this is this the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 47. Oh, let us not too deeply think of life. Less thinking should bring knowledge. Knowledge, pain, imagination burns my crowded brain, with ruins and traceries of coming strife, discord and doubt and ruins bloody knife, temptation gnashing evil's teeth again, and dreams of God and all things that seemed plain, clash in the murk of discontentment rife.

Starting point is 00:48:51 Life is with you and me and love like ours, whatever time may tell the future fates, and through our love our souls may knit in one, heaven's earnest laws to earth's all heaven's powers, till knocking at death's misty morning gates, we rush in, partners of the moon and sun. End of section 47. Sonnet 48, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Lieper Vox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. This body that is mine sometimes nor seems nor is.

Starting point is 00:49:35 So molded into one our heart and mind that either cannot breathe apart. Day only gathers up the fallen dreams of passing night and luminates the streams with painted barges. But the busy mart my shut eyes blacken out. Tis then I start dreaming that through my mind, creation teams. All life, all death, heaven and earth and hell, but likewise seem, since minds breed hopes and fears and make and unmake knowledge bit by bit. Dear, without my mind, you are but the shell of some strange man, while in all men appears that which makes you

Starting point is 00:50:22 my God, because of it. End of sonnet. forty eight section forty nine songs of love and life by zora cross this liberovoc's recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet forty nine in me there is a vast and lonely place where none not even you have walked in sight a wide still veil of solitude and light where silence echoes into ebbing space and there i creep at times and hide my face while in myself i fathom wrong and right and all the timeless ages of the night that sacred silence of my soul i pace and when from there i come to you love swift my mouth hot edge with kisses fresh as wine often i find your longings all asleep and unresponsive from my grasp you drift ah love you too seek solitude like mine and soul from soul the secret seems to keep end of section forty nine section fifty songs of love and life by zora cross this librovoc's recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet dear love a spirit circumfuses all a force creating everlasting fire white reason singing to a mighty liar songs of eternity with earthly call it moves it strives it lives in great and small all natures through it to some end conspire one calls it god another heart's desire we love because we move in her wise thrall men put themselves in what their minds create this pen this book this poem breathes of souls who lived who worked for some selected end so god who made us lives in our poor state through that great spirit which his mind controls till his perfection with our own shall blend

Starting point is 00:52:35 songs of love and life by zora cross this liberovox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet fifty one dear love why should we fear to die to-day who cannot tell which is the live which dead who speak of death and whispers through the dread of fiery truth who blinds the groping way can he who breeze through us die with our clay ending the atoms that his fire has fed ah no he knows not death nor time's cold bed, nor yet do we, who are his hope and stay. Without us what were God but unknown worth, who make his world, his heaven and his hell, without him what were we but soulless force? Who cannot say if heaven be heaven or earth? Ah, love, we change from timely nel to knell, but life lives on in God, who is our source. End of section 51. Section 52, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 52. We are not merely vessels for the wine, of warm creation nor receptacles. Of love, our souls drink

Starting point is 00:53:54 beauty at far of the wells, while wisdom widens to a plain divine. Dearest our bodies are not passions shrine, nor lifeless compound of untutored cells, they hold our senses, and our mind compels their every motion to an end more fine. For do we rise, beloved, you and I, up from the earth to which our reasons cling, mounting the airy pathways of the night, when heaven's Hosannas fill the flaming sky, and while our thoughts among the meadows sing, we with our God dissolve at last in light. End of Section 52. Section 53, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 00:54:37 This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 53. When from an ancient book we sat and read, loves of old years in Thessaly and Thrace, how nymphs died, swooning at a gods' embrace, and beauty lured desire into her bed, we felt the fragrance of the love thus spread, we saw the shadows of the antique place, for out of thoughts, imaginations trace the deathless pageant of the breathing dead. Time cannot age the mind's immortal youth, nor death entomb the living, fire of thought. We lived their loves because their tales could cite the darling dreams of

Starting point is 00:55:23 fancy feigning truth. And while we lived, what death of them had bought, they breathed and loved again in our delight. End of Section 53. Section 54, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librovoc's recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet what have you more than I who crave you so have I not hands and feet and thoughts to tell all my sweet senses and fine dreams that swell rich with contentments that the star winds blow yet do I need you everywhere I go as if you help me in some stinging spell and nothing living but yourself could quell the conscious longings that tumultuous flow I am myself and yet I cannot move hand foot or eye but am drawn to you I want you all dreams kisses thoughts and eyes. Dearest, it seems, my very once would prove I am yourself, dreaming we measure two, and lack myself that which yourself supplies. End of Section 54. Sonnet 55, from Songs of of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise

Starting point is 00:56:51 D. When by the borders of a crowded place, I watch the breathing multitude stream by force driving force and action beating high, eternal movement merges into space. Then I can see no image of a face. Brown hair and black are mixed into the sky. I feel no motion save a gentle sigh, which dies dissolved and leaves no earthly trace. And as I join the crowd and pass along, purposed with love to give myself to you, I seem to float upon a mighty deep, dreaming some dream with all the dreaming throng, till, like a cloud upon a heaven of blue, I melt like mist into your soul and sleep.

Starting point is 00:57:46 End of Sonnet 55. Section 56 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Sonnet 56 Where are the tears unnumbered I have shed Have they returned again into my eyes Fading the flowers which you so proudly prize

Starting point is 00:58:13 Or do they linger with the lonely dead Perhaps soft-footed through the room they tread The velvet moments when my dreams arise Living the laughter of that pure surprise When you and I to Rhapsody were wed O love I think they live they look at me tonight from every corner of my little room like pieces of myself that died for you

Starting point is 00:58:36 before you gave me all your soul's delight. And in the quiet twilight of the tomb, they will come back to me as memories do. End of Section 56. Section 57, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Liberovacs recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Sonnet 57. let us not so load ourselves with joy, that bliss becomes pure habit and the fire of love, adultery, of dear desire. Though sense must labour in the mind's employ, less thought should clog the cells wherein they cloy, do not untune love's little tender liar, with too much music till her songs expire, leaving the instrument a shattered toy. Rather as nature serves her god love-free, let me serve you with foison of spring rain, or winter frost which on the sweet earth lies,

Starting point is 00:59:37 in gentle sleep of snowy chastity so shall my senses loosen from my brain at times true will your wells of paradise end of section fifty seven section fifty eight songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat sonnet fifty eight do not surcharge our souls with that vile blame to which our bodies are subjected here nor heap them with the horror of dull fear, base borrowed from a life of torpid shame, but let them linger like a lovely flame, above the clay to which they must cohere, lighting the earthly to the heavenly sphere, to meet the mystery from which they came. As midnight drinks a message from the moon, and morning takes our orders from the sun, so let our bodies to our souls submit, and live forever in their still high noon, where morn and midnight gather into one, and only angels on their missions flicked.

Starting point is 01:00:45 Section 59 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Sonnet 59 But dear, what shall remain of you and me when we no longer pace the morning here? When time has sued the last unloosened tear and earth no more extends us charity?

Starting point is 01:01:18 Nature, who loaned us youth and passions glee, rose cheeks and laughing eyes and scorn of fear, shall come for them again some distant year, and what she lent, full garner as her fee. But when some other man, some other maid, wears your gray eyes and my rose-cheek's soft hue, will our strong loves outfill their fragile frames, and our large thoughts unto their minds give aid? Ah, no, for never men. was loved as you, nor made as I, and such love heaven claims. End of Section 59. Section 60, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 01:02:08 This Libervox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 60 My mind and heart both love you utterly, and so each thought of mine is doubly yours, and all my will about your body poor. sense of my blood and fires that flow from me. Who has created me so young, so free, eager today to close convention's doors, tomorrow to return and sweep the floors with my loose hair and blinding memory? Dearest, you have, who gave my heart such love, it sang the marriage of our mingling blood,

Starting point is 01:02:46 sweeping us on in a supreme control to those vast stillnesses that move above, and in the wonder of its mighty flood, my mother. Mine drew God from your eternal soul. End of Section 60. Section 61 of Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. The Vision of Jehovah.

Starting point is 01:03:20 What shall it profit if the nations rise, read from the sepicles of hell distraught, lifting with southern souls their bleeding eyes, stung with the vengeance of the sword they sought? what shall it profit these or other men, faltering farther to the cosmic sky, since this thy vow, vengeance is mine our men, O Lord Jehovah, hear us, hear our cry. There all the way the boltings from the door, and Lord Jehovah, very God of all, looked down upon the dumb earth's threshing floor, marking how death wove savagely her pall,

Starting point is 01:03:54 and seasoned labour loosed of thick desire, set amidst the ruins of her territory, while hope her first-born with young lips of fire plucked at her withered breasts in agony behold upon the right hand of the lord the shuddering christ with sin-remembering eyes seeing like pallid moths the phantom horde of christian martyrs and crusaders rise pierced with the peril of impassioned prayer how in the red arena did they crowd or on the holy place he died to spare broidered with bloody thread their battle shroud left of the lord intent ambrosial Muhammad trembled at his peaceful shrine, even as Abdallah at that festival, when stooping o'er his fragrant bridal wine, one whispered of the virgin multitude, dead for the love of him so falsely fair, shivered and sought in pious interlude to drown forgetfulness in honest prayer. As in the blinding midlight of the world, when out of chaos swung the scent of day, and from the loins of God the ocean swirled, he with what charity breathed all the clay, flame of his

Starting point is 01:04:58 thought and passion of his mind, as in that hour when first he viewed his work, mute-eyed and grave he sorrowed for mankind. So now he anguished still, and all was Merck. Merck, where ambition in her muddied gown, robbed of her feigndom, begged for common arms. Merck, where the swollen rivers glided down, art hid the festered shreds of her torn palms. Merck, wherein terror truth fled swift apart, seeing upon the floor where Honor shone, greed with her blood-stained talons in her heart, plucking the soul of things to feast thereon. Then spake Jehovah in a voice of woe,

Starting point is 01:05:35 And all the heavens vibrated with the sound. Adam, is this thy seed that grows so low, wrought in our image rotting in the ground, answered the prophets in a sad accord. Yea, till the heavens vanished like a scroll. Yay, till the wild beasts heard unfearing, Lord. Yay, till the camel without pang shall fall. bowl. Wrath was Jehovah at the spoken word, wrath as when Lucifer forever fell, weakening the

Starting point is 01:06:01 nations as he fought and heard, fending his fury at the gates of hell. But through the depthless chasms of the air broke like a wail the voice of many men, and on the hills of heaven summoned there, stood the archangel Gabriel again. Pity was his left wing, comfort his right, and at his back the hosts of heaven swarmed, looked to the reeling earth through veins of light, bowed to Jehovah, to his Iacin formed, saw how he raised his living arms to smite, nation on nation all the wide earth through, where all his rats he heard that cry contrite. Father, forgive, they know not what they do. Jehovah stayed his mighty arm and wept, and low, a vision followed, and he saw,

Starting point is 01:06:45 how from the golden west Olympus crept, By Zeus, the mind-made God, ruled as before, how sprang the drassal on the filmy right, while Odin to Valhalla heroes led, last gleamed Westminster Abbey in the night, where men held sacred service for their dead. Like to an opal sunset when romance sweeps her bright tapestry about sea,

Starting point is 01:07:06 and in each colour of the wide expanse flutters a leaf of ocean's history, battles and sunken galleys of renown, treasure of buccaneers and Viking hoard, all in one rainbow radiance scattered down, so shone Olympus to the Holy Lord. Banquet was spread upon the godly board, the festival of Aphrodite dawned, green as a burning emerald was the sward,

Starting point is 01:07:27 were at the feet of Zeus the muses formed, drinking from bowls of pearl the nectar sweet, while cherubs fanned them with a palm of gold, rose-bellied nymphs rolled in the budding wheat, satyrs about the clustering vines made hold. Then came the full-limb goddess of the foam, led by Apollo through the lanes of light, doves at her breathing flocked and roses clomb over her footprints in the flame of flight, fell all about the mellowed fruit of joy as she the feastings honoured there above till reeling bacchus with his lips a cloy sipped the slow wine-drops from her breasts of love the lord jehovah veiled his eyes with fire but turned to rightward where valhallow rose turquoise the massive doors the steppe sapphire the burnish floor ten thousand came and to the gate of beryl boulder came roved like the sun in saffron of the morn seeing across the rainbow bridge of fame how into Asgard came the soul's newborn.

Starting point is 01:08:25 As bold Don Roderick at the strange tower stared, wondering how in Toledo magic wrought, spires of such stateliness and scarcely dared, Clash his brave stirrucks there, but fearing naught, entered and found that which he long had sought, so stared each hero in a fixed amaze, as at Valhauer's halls his battle fought, entered he in to rest of eternal days.

Starting point is 01:08:47 Torn with the tempest of tremendous woe, Jehovah in the travail of his tears, spake as when in the foremorn long ago, dropped from his lips the language of the spheres. Oh, Adam, Adam, was thy mind so base? What could it profit that I gave my son? But answered Westminster through Jesus' grace, Hallowed be thy will be done. The vision changed as watched the hosts on high,

Starting point is 01:09:11 Valhalla and Olympus passed away, and in their places low men fought to die, caught in the reeking stench of rotting clay, matted their fragrant locks with smoking gore, horse, man and priests shrieking in unity, hot from the steaming lust leap of red war, staining the portals of eternity. How all their mangled skulls the night dew fell,

Starting point is 01:09:33 how through their dying limbs they prayed in vain, prayers that their clotted lips would never tell, sealed by the bleeding sussingal of pain, and as decayed, life-swollen parasite, followed the harlot death from feast to feast. Nowhere in all the ghastly world was light, save where Westminster glimmered in the east. There as the crimson-breasted battle-jade,

Starting point is 01:09:55 wallowed in agony among the brave, mothers and sweethearts in the abbey prayed, kneeling in memory of the men they gave. Light in our darkness, we beseech thee, Lord. Snatches of service floated thus to God, mingling with clinking echo of a sword, shocked in the tumult of a broken squad. and at the Abedore Cupidity,

Starting point is 01:10:14 Measuring her faith by wealth's divining rod, Bent low to mock, but hearing suddenly, Abate their pride, assuage their malice, God, Turn from the holy place and fled afeard, Into war's arms where she will never die, But mouth the thighs of hate with gall besmeared, And suck the stinging lips of envy dry. Silence, with muttled breath late slept afield,

Starting point is 01:10:37 Drawing her nets of thought about her bed, Blutted with blood, war dropped his gory shrewry, shield, nor sound nor sigh, escaped the myriad dead, when from the abbey came the groan of men, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God be with us evermore, amen. Jehovah moaned and closed the doors above. What shall it profit then if nations fall? What merit since we may not understand? For dawn came roguishly at times faint call, looking with sleep-sweet eyes upon the land, and saw amidst the horror and the woe, a teuton and a Briton lying there, wound in each other's lifeless arms and glow, facing each other in their dead despair.

Starting point is 01:11:16 The lilting wind was rippling through their hair, the splashing sunlight dancing on their sleeves, a robin sniffed the blossom of the air, and sang to them of spring and rustling leaves. The dawn unrobed and it was day again. There came no mourners to the solemn dead. The floating clouds break into gentle rain. The silent sky is unmoved, swam overhead. end of section 61 section 62 songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat the new moon what have you got in your knapsack fair white moon bright moon purling the air spinning your bobbins and fabrics free fleet moon sweet moon into the sea turquoise and barrel and rings of gold clear moon deer moon ne'er to be sold Roses and Lidies, Romance and Love, Still Moon, Chill Moon, Swinging Above. Slender your feet as a white bird's throat, High moon, Shy Moon, drifting your boat,

Starting point is 01:12:21 Into the murk of the world a while, Slim Moon, dim moon, adding a smile. Tender your eyes as a maiden's kiss. Fine moon, wine moon, no one knows this. Under the spell of your witchery, Dream moon, cream moon, first he kissed me. End of Section 62. of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. The Poppy The muffled bells of sleep told drowsily as down the dim cathedral of the day, The scented censor of your life you sway, and all its sweetness scatter over me.

Starting point is 01:13:10 Here, where I lie and watch the loveless bee would flower with flower and go his singing way, the loose white winds amongst your petals play, whispering of Tempe and of Arkady. Dust breaks the bowl of day with soundless chink, and, as its liquid jewels foam to flame, a rainbow ripple stains the sapphire sea. So, when death dreams upon your ruby brink, the fallen petals from your fragile frame

Starting point is 01:13:42 color the waters of eternity. End of Section 63 Section 64 From Songs of Love and Life By Zora Cross This Libervox recording is in the public domain Read by Elise D Books

Starting point is 01:14:05 Oh, bury me in books When I am dead Fair quarto leaves of ivory and gold And silk octavos Bound and Brown and Red That tales of love and chivalry on cold. Heat me in volumes of fine vellum wrought, creamed with the close content of silent speech, wrap me in sapphire tapestries of thought, from some old epic out of common reach. I would my shroud

Starting point is 01:14:36 were verse embroidered too, your verse for preference, in starry stitch, and powdered ore with rhymes that poets woo, breathing dream lyrics in moon measures rich. Night holds me with a whole, horror of the grave that knows not poetry nor song nor you, nor leaves of love that down the ages wave, romance and fire in burnished cloths of blue. Oh, bury me in books and I'll not mind, the cold, slow worms that coil round my head, since my lone soul may turn the page and find the lines you wrote to me when I am dead. End of Section 64. Section 65, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 01:15:32 Read by Elise D. When I was six. When I was only six years old, Hi-ho for Folly O, I wandered in a fairy fold, High Holly to and fro. I rode upon a blossom's back, uphill and over sea, and all the little pixie pack for fun would follow me. Oh, golden was the gown I wore of butter,

Starting point is 01:15:54 cups and air, and twenty diamond stars or more were pinned upon my hair. All day I chased the laughing sky above the busy town, but when the moon unwinked her eye, ho, ho, I hurried down. And then within the baby's shoe, I hid my lady's pearls. For maid to merry-made I flew and nodded all their curls. I pulled the preacher's saintly gown and lost his open page. I tickled out the withered frown of every sallow sage. And when the children were abet, I tapped the window-pane and laughed as someone softly said, whist, goblins there again. Ho-ho, I flitted here and there, amid my elfin band, while on the green in frolic fair, we tripped it hand in hand. As air and moonlight, I was free within that fairy fold, for all the world belonged to me when I was six years old.

Starting point is 01:16:51 End of Section 65. Section 66, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Lipervox's recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. My Muse My Muse is a minx with a spell for a smile. She gallops a wagon of whims through the skies, and teasings capricious and pranks all the while. She pours upon me who would sing to her eyes.

Starting point is 01:17:24 She coaxes me on like a siren at play, then leaves me alone with a shadow to doze. As faithless as Venus, she flits with a fey, or marries her moods to the rim of a rose. I went to her house and I opened the door to peep at the exquisite corridors there, and thousands of dreams that were strewing the floor cried, Constancy only can win the most fair.

Starting point is 01:17:51 And so on her lily white doorstep I wait, or wander away with my lover in glee now faithful now fickle i toy with my fate for i am a maiden as willful as she end of section sixty six section sixty seven of songs of love and life by zora cross this librivox recording is in the public domain read by caveat seascape slowly into the purple cup of night dusk pours the amber wine of daily prayer and as its fragrance scents these pools of light the opal sea-buds blossom everywhere soon from her palms of fire the young moon shakes pale rainbow jewels on the wet brown sand while some chased nymph her bath of sea-foam takes where jade and green the round waves plunged to land then drowsy night has storied mantle lifts as some red, Red Star Dirk slits the velvet fold, which, falling where the sea-made lowly drifts, lights her slim corpse in eddies of pure gold. End of Section 67. Section 68. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libra Box recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat, The Perfect Rhyne.

Starting point is 01:19:24 Oh, to have lived in Sicily with you, and sweet Theocritus, when song was young, and every happy flower the morning swung, was ripe with melody of odorous dew, there beneath the bowed you might have sung, full true, with those rare voices grassy Aetna flung, down to a sea that lapped with lyric tongue, A singing sure enamoured of its blue, O love, I dream, our married glances meet,

Starting point is 01:19:48 Our mouths make iddles all the gloaming through, Hear oar our heads the breathing blossoms twine, And couplets cluster at our naked feet, Nor ever poets since the first pipe blue dream such a rhyme as your lips make on mine. End of Section 68. Section 69, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Labor Vox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 01:20:15 Read by Elise D. Memory Late, late last night, when the whole world slept, along to the garden of dreams I crept, and I pulled the bell of an old, old house, where the moon dipped down like a little white mouse. I tapped the door and I tossed my head. Are you in, little girl?

Starting point is 01:20:34 Are you in? I said. And while I waited and shook with cold, through the door tripped me, just eight years old. I looked so sweet with my pigtails down, tied up with a ribbon of dusky brown, with a dimpled chin full of childish charms,

Starting point is 01:20:50 and my old black dolly asleep in my arms. I sat me down when I saw myself, and I told little tales of a moonland elf. I laughed and sang as I used to, to do when the world was ruled by little boy blue. Then up I danced with a toss and a twirl and said, Now, have you been a good, good girl? Have you had much spanking since you were me?

Starting point is 01:21:12 And does it feel fine to be 23? I kissed me then, and I said farewell, for I've earned more spanks than I dared to tell. And eight must never see 23 as she peeps through the door of memory. End of Section 69. Section 70 From Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross

Starting point is 01:21:37 This Librevox recording is in the public domain Read by Elise D The Fair Who's that dancing on the moonlit air heel-to-tapping, toe-heel-wrapping, Oberon opening the fair to jig away sorrow on the grave of care. Come along, old folk,

Starting point is 01:21:59 cold folk, bold folk. Drop your shield, at the midnight stroke. Elves are crying, who'll come buying, jugs of joy from a fairy's cloak? Mob is sitting on a silver shoe, bright eyes laughing, light lips quaffing, airy bubbles from a cup of dew. Her bracelets tinkle with delights for you. Come along, tall folk, small folk, all folk. Race the stream where the fat frogs croak. Buy a bobbin, there goes Robin, tying time to a daisy's yoke. What's for sale at the fairies fair? Tiny trumpets, nuts and crumpets, gossamer gowns that the spiders wear, and wee red ribbons from the poppy's hair. Come, buy a moonbeam, slender, tender, posse pans or a witch's spur, pixie packets, goblin jackets, stifling age in their elfin fur. All you pay is a dream or two, fancies reeling, toe and healing, purchase the pleasures that the fairies woo, for none want money as the grey folk do.

Starting point is 01:23:05 Come for the weware, freeware, gleeware, holiday smiles in your loosened hair, take your fiddle, trip the middle, buy back youth at the fairies fair. End of Section 70. Section 71 Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by caveat.

Starting point is 01:23:35 Pain, 1. Yes, I called, for she was moaning there, across the warden in her trembling hands, she hid her little face of woe. I called, she would not heed. Her sobbing wrung my heart, and so I rose and groped across the floor, and lifted from her tear-wet-wet-face her sad and silken hair, and tried to comfort her. She murmured, go away, but from the sheets I drew her hand reluctant into mine, and bathed it with my tears as hot they fell.

Starting point is 01:24:07 Did you love him, I said. Talk if you can. She muffled up her mouth and said no word. But her hand warmed in mine and through its skin I felt her young blood cry in memory. I kissed a cheek and blindly sought my bed. 2. Mother of God! The pangs! The pangs again!

Starting point is 01:24:29 Put out my life! Stop up my cries with death! I would be quiet. I would be so still. Repentant, humble, if! Our God! The pangs! There is a table in the surgery. I saw it when I passed and near a nurse,

Starting point is 01:24:45 cool-handed, meek of mouth. She looked at me with tender pity. I, oh God, I fear if I should die in this small life I wronged, be left still wronged, to live a loveless life. Unmothered and unfathed too. Oh, God, put out two lives. I must scream.

Starting point is 01:25:04 Christ forgive. I can hear footsteps in the ward. Lights gleam. They're coming. I will lie upon the bed where Alice died today. She left her child, a dimpled boy with hazel eyes like hers. Nearer they come. What's happening in the world? Where's he who said he loved me? Oh my God, where is my mother and my... Not a friend. How cold it is. My lips bleed agony. They're here. They help me up and bear me through the desolate long room. My own nails in my palms. Despise. deserted, on my cross I crawl. Scream now, unafeared, they say. I scream and scream. Three.

Starting point is 01:25:51 Black monsters, large of limb and horrible, in shape, crowded the room. Some crawled about, the ceiling, and some sat upon my feet. Heavy with horror, both my hands were huge, monstrous of palm. My head was big as worlds, and down my back sharp knives cut flesh and to bone. I was alone in a wild misery, and like a mournful bird my dead child wailed above the dark delirium again. Again its fingers clutched my milkless breasts, and its small feet ran madly through my heart. Its little fists beat up my brain for life. Oh, how it cried.

Starting point is 01:26:28 I could not ease its pain, or go to it. Chill weights pressed on my brow. Four, I cannot weep. No one has come to me. I sit upon a chair and watch the sun. My hands are white like wax. My feet are cold, though it is summer and the garden glows. Alice's boy is crowing in his cot.

Starting point is 01:26:52 I wonder if she knows. I wonder where he is who loved her, if he thinks or cares. The boy is not the mouth that Alice had. My child is all alone like me and cold, under the ground. Do they put babies deep? She was so tiny. all the earth, I think, would be too kind to crush her little head. I never saw her face, like him or me.

Starting point is 01:27:18 She will never ever know but God. She cried, but I forget. Her little foot against my thigh felt cold. Her hands, they said, were blue. I never meant to do her any harm. She may have hungered or I had to work. I should have slept for her sake those long nights of waking agony. I did not know.

Starting point is 01:27:37 Alice's boy is laughing at the nurse. She brings him down to me. The doctor calls. She drops him in my lap. How small. How sweet. I smile. I kiss it little hands and weep. End of Section 71. Section 72 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. April Laughter April is blowing her bubbles of blue or coverts of daisies all dappled with dew, and wily wind elves as they pelt her with play, sing hi, hilly ho, it's a very fine day.

Starting point is 01:28:25 So ho for the maiden with Lily Loveladen, who's decking herself in a dimity gown with touches of pearl on her orange-wreath crown that cuddles her tresses of wallflower brown. The creams in the cup and the candies are cut in tiny pink piles in the honeymoon hut, where time has a tub of caresses to drink, and every white minute a chuckle to clink.

Starting point is 01:28:50 And ho for the lover she soon will discover, when noon nodding over her goblet of sun, wakes up with a wink at the sound of the fun to drown in the dusk ere the frolic be done. Oh, I am the maiden, and you are the boy. Our wedding bells ring in the attic of joy, where youth takes a kiss neath a lattice of love, from beauty and innocence meek as a dove,

Starting point is 01:29:14 then ho for the laughter that rings to the rafter as over the ridge of our kisses we ride and, tingling with mirth of the oncoming tide, we slip into Eden to sleep side by side. End of Section 72. Section 73 of Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat.

Starting point is 01:29:47 The Poets Garden when in the long lagoons of sombre sink the tired flocks of men surrounding me on naked feet i walk the lilac brink of my own memory and in an alley of the hanging air dim blossoms of a garden softly swing love lyrics happy odes and sonnets fair through my imagining i lean my cheek upon the garden rail tasting the fragrance of that company who threw the ferny aisles and angles trail white immortality odorous daisies from far milky meads who after all my wall the innocence of truth and from a pool a sway with rhyming reeds i breathe eternal youth oh haply in some velvet noon of night a glimmering hand flower-full will soft unclose and slipping through the silence fill me light drop on my heart a rose End of Section 73. Section 74 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 01:30:57 Read by Elise D. The Rainbow. Down in the garden, the rainbow is spinning, little loose bobbins of barrel and blue. Creamy white fairies, their curls are unpinning, shaking pink pinafores woven of dew. Hurry up, little girls, hurry up little boys, and catch the big bow with its lapful of toys,

Starting point is 01:31:19 where Puck and his pixies are clinging and flinging, pale, pearly white bells from their fingers and toes, their round little toes, and when the breeze blows, it's only the children who hear the bell swinging, high ringing and singing, as all the world knows. Get out your bucket and put on your bonnet, quick or the little blue bobbins will go.

Starting point is 01:31:42 Dig up the gold with the roses upon it, hiding in heaps at the end of the bow. Hurry up, little girls. Hurry up, little boys. You'll miss the bow bending with junkets of joys, where Mob and her maidens are tripping and dipping on tiny green slippers like slim little girls, like rosy white girls, all ribbons and curls,

Starting point is 01:32:02 that over the lavender beaches are skipping, are flipping and tipping all bubbles and pearls. End of Section 74. Section 75 Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross This Libravox recording is in the public domain Read by caveat Fortune

Starting point is 01:32:28 Dame fortunes a jade with a fanciful horn Of silver ambitions she warms into flame With pearls for the princes and tears Night and mourn for poor little poets Who fluttered for fame Who smile when she sings and she dances along Come woo me with courage and delicate song I followed her once, but she wearied me soon.

Starting point is 01:32:49 All careless was I of her rosate quest. I built a dream-house where the stars were in tune, and slipped into silence and exquisite rest. But she, like a sex when her passion seemed cold, ran hither and offered me all of her gold. I went to the door, and I looked at her ware, a bagate and amber and cool chrysalite. I shook my wise head with a holiday air,

Starting point is 01:33:08 and paid a good day in a daring delight. For I am a fool, and my fortune is made. I care not a fig for a crown, or it. spade. I dwell with the elves beneath the odorous sky, and the dews of the dawn brush my gables with glee and moonlights and sunlights and lovers pass by, all humming this song

Starting point is 01:33:26 as they peep upon me. I ho for the fool who can pity all pelt and finds in his bliss that his fortunes himself. End of section 75. Section 76, Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 01:33:49 Read by caveat. at holiday humor life grows too circumspect let's play prevail put back the clock of time to half-past age and fly with you from old conventions cage to swing with nonsense where her toy boat sail oh drop the cloak of thought and in a gale of gladness whirl me over reasoned stage past sense and logic's pallid heritage to dance fun frolic through a daisy dale dear love my hands are laid laughter linked in thine. The moonlight marries us to maddest mirth, and follies weaving us her youngest hour to bind our spirits in a mesh divine. A wreath of play, a kiss, a bed of earth, and love and life as simple as a flower. End of section 76. Section 77. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 01:34:49 This is a Liberovox recording. All Libra of Ox recordings are in the public domain. read by caveat To a favourite poet I have been reading verses that you wrote In mornings long ago Their fragrant thoughts and petal fancies float Like music sweet and slow I see your fairies and your white nymphs play

Starting point is 01:35:09 Beneath the Olive Trees Your southern Venus Thridding through the bay With white and naked knees Smooth satin speeches from the stanzas Speak intoxicating me Some lyric running in a pebbled creek mixes a melody.

Starting point is 01:35:25 And there are maidens murmuring along With moonlight in their hair, Loose laughter dimples with our own white song And sunny chords of air And often coupled with the clash of steel I hear a rumbling drum As drawn sonorous through the mighty peel Blonde thoughts of thunder hum

Starting point is 01:35:43 I have been reading verses that you wrote And all the pages through Incented simile and singing note I find the soul of you End of section 77. Section 78, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Liebervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D.

Starting point is 01:36:10 In a garden. In this old garden where I walk, laughter and tears I find, pursue me and in silence talk sweet memories in my mind. Here are red roses dropping blood. I see Adonis fly. and I hear from every crimson bud, warm Scytharia sigh. And there are lilies lost in thought, whose leaves divinely grieve,

Starting point is 01:36:35 as in each chalice closely caught I mark the tears of Eve. I move along from flower to flower and pluck them wonderingly, when sunset chimes the golden hour of twilight's reverie. I twine the lily and the rose with sprays of Milky May, and violets whose odor flows fresh from the Appian way. A sigh breaks from the ruby rose, I hear a step all light, ring rapture where the evening glows upon the heart of night.

Starting point is 01:37:06 It nears, and from the garden spring, delicious dreams and true, I stand in Eden marveling, yet knowing it is you. I pause, I wait. The minutes die, and drop out one by one, Your step, film-footed, falters by, as it has ever done. Blind-eyed with tears, the shadows crowd upon my helpless head, I make the flowers my bridal shroud, joy lives, and yet is dead.

Starting point is 01:37:36 The mirthful stars spin bliss above, I weep in agony, weaving the pall of hopeless love here in Githemeny. End of Section 78. Section 79, from Songs of Love and Life, by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Girl Gladness It's holiday time on the Hollyhawk Hills, and I wish you would come with me, Laddie Love Now. The butterfly bells from the folly fool rills will ring if you listen and drop on your brow. So, dear, come along, I've a kiss and a song, and I know where the fairies are forging a gong,

Starting point is 01:38:25 to ring up the elves to a festival fair of snippets of sunshine and apples of air. Oh, laddie, my laddie, quick, run out of school, and away with a shout and a shake of the head, I'll pick you a pearl from the pigeon-pink pool, where cuddles and kisses are going to bed. Away, come away to the land of the fay. For the afternoon tinkles your lassie loves lay, play truant with time and while age is asleep, I'll give you the heart of my girlhood to keep. End of Section 79. Section 80 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 01:39:11 This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. If I were a poet. If I were a poet and you were a prince and nothing much mattered but song, oh, wouldn't we make the old moralists mince and hustle the prelates along? But you are the poet, and I'm but a maid, your fancy flings laughter and rhyme, and how shall our bills and our lodging be paid, when love is the prince all the time? End of Section 80.

Starting point is 01:39:50 Section 81. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Grief Night in her caravan as black as death came to my chamber saying, follow me shut off the clamour of my startled breath led me red-eyed into eternity oh grief i died upon thy stinging lips feeling the tempest of my soul arise fronting the heavens as a ship that dips cabled and cargoed with a freight of size god sat there spinning in a silent place watching me walk the bitter past again wrinkled the blossom in my fair young face bruised were my eyes with many stings of pain O woman that I made so very fair The passion of his voice chained me to earth

Starting point is 01:40:40 Why hast thou crouched so constantly with care Batter thy body for a mead of mirth Answered I naught O God my very God how I have sinned My body is a pool White as sweet wine where multitudes have trod Sipping the cup and calling me Poor fool

Starting point is 01:40:58 And in the morning of a splendid day Love came unnoticed through the moving throng Mouth like a rose with eyes of holy grail Chanting the burden of an old sweet song. God, oh my God, I heard him knock in vain. How could I listen to a strange so dear? Grief drowns my longings in a moaning rain. Ease me alone with darkness and my fear.

Starting point is 01:41:23 End of Section 81. Section 82. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Thou shall not. Woman, pausing on the marble stair, Come down one, come down two.

Starting point is 01:41:50 Death is creaking through the doors of air And a red, red knife for you. Woman, lying on the gleaming floor, Warm the blade, cold your skin. Loves a madman when he loves no more. And a heart is hot with sin. End of Section 82. from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 01:42:21 This Labor Vox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. The Open Air Sing, sing, sweet air, Your mighty music spill upon the songless ground that circles me around, and roaring, pouring, with tumultuous thrill,

Starting point is 01:42:44 hurl harmonies from heaven's deep till cataracts of rhythm sweep and madly, gladly, lift my spirit up, or snowy mountain height, or slumberous clouds of night, to drink immortal draughts of nature's cup, sing, sing, and in a magic ring, whirl, moon, and star, or leap, and fling the yellow sunlights on the leaf, and laughter at the feet of grief. Fill up the lily leaves with mirth, the larksper light to happy birth, and sweetly, fleetly round the rosy sun, trill of your lilting life that's ne'er done. O veil of God, O clear felicity, your crystal dues of joy, my silent senses cloy, your gleaming, streaming lights

Starting point is 01:43:35 of liberty dissolve their beings into mine, and clinging mists that round you twine, flood, lipping, dipping me in deeps of truth, with myriad-minded trees from bowls of barrel, I sip the soul of everlasting youth. O innocence of ample air, Ambrosially, moist and fair, translucent flow your springs of light, through dancing day and nodding night, and palely pure your starlight streams,

Starting point is 01:44:07 delicious meads of musing dreams that lightly, wightly ripple land and sea with bomb of beauty and cool chastity. Ocean of life, wine of eternity, You bubble to the brink of every hope I drink And leaping, sweeping in an ecstasy Billow with bliss the ant and midge The midnight moon and rainbow ridge

Starting point is 01:44:31 And glowing, flowing, flowing in an endless flight Gather the spacious sun, The stars and tides in one While death herself dies drunk with your delight. Sing, sing, sweet air, Your breath remains in vapor, cloud, or opal rains, and, drowned in you, my love and I, beneath the blossom of the sky, float on like souls to paradise, meeting in yours the maker's eyes, that purely, surely, through your stainless

Starting point is 01:45:05 sea, harbor the gleam of immortality. End of Section 83. Section 84. Songs of Love of Life by Zora Cross. This Libra Vox recording is in the public domain. read by caveat. The Birthday of the Dead Where'er I turn to-night I see a child with brown and ribboned hair,

Starting point is 01:45:37 smiling soft-eyed at me as once I smiled, as fair as I was fair. Her little hands are plaiting flowers and ferns, her tiny feet are crossed. Sometimes she sings and through her carol ferns, the youth that I have lost. I know her grave is green upon the hill, she died in infancy, and yet, How pensive and how very still. She sits and smiles at me. I'll say this time next year she'd have been nine. Had earth not been her bed.

Starting point is 01:46:08 Her little years increase and bloom with mine. Ah, how can she be dead? End of Section 84. Section 85. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. Only Sir Galahan. What time the embers of heroic men

Starting point is 01:46:36 Flamed to the pallid peaks of paradise I, waiting at Endmishpat, saw again the grail of God's most holy sacrifice. Through blazing arrows of the dim red morn, Faint with the fragrance of the lips of Christ, It floated forward like a star new-born, And lo I followed, for the scent sufficed. O a dumb-tongued battlefield it upwards sailed, Pulsed with the passion of a maiden vow,

Starting point is 01:47:02 and gleamed where poppies airily unveiled, bloomed in the skulls of souls forgotten now, bloomed in the valley where the Anzac's sleep, these scented coppices of deep content, in khaki shrouds which holy angels keep, sacred for drappings of Jehovah's tent. And in the even measure of the dust I felt the ticking of a hero heart, deathless immortal in the grave of rust,

Starting point is 01:47:28 under the crosses in the sands apart. These are your money, immense, beloved dead, these but the vassal vaults of liberty, let not your kinsman move your narrow bed, let not some strangers stir their sanctity. Mounting the amber of the higher air, now like an acolyte it drifted by, onwards o'er tuscany through meadows fair, forth to Louvain, I heard a woman cry. Through Flanders, filmily it led me on, where Hope hid cowed in every tangled lane, Art Leia raped, her chastity was gone,

Starting point is 01:48:02 slain in the futile carnages of pain. And, as in centuries of long ago, Rolo the Red scoured down with Viking shouts, leaving the cities in a smoke of woe, reeking with relics of his red-eyed ruts. So in the avenues with blood imbrewed, stained with its vendages the Teuton's sword, swung in remembrance and in wrath pursued,

Starting point is 01:48:24 shades of the slaughtered children of the Lord. late on the hill heart all immortal day gathered her lilies with a smile sublime, breathed through her dimpled lips her soul away, fainted the flying feet of even time. Light as a falconet the evening star slipped through the fingers of the dewy night, floating in the joints down the clouds afar, tipping the chalice with an incense white. But none save mothers with their babes abreast, pouring devotion through their sleepless eyes, flicked with the reflection of the radiant west, saw the bright grail an instant in the skies.

Starting point is 01:49:01 None but some soldier dying in his woe, facing the blinding battlements of death, softened and smiling pity for his foe, felt the pure glory of the Saviour's breath. Then on to Calvary it soared and stayed. There too I waited while the world roared red, bloodied with battle and with pain decayed, heaped to the summit with its piles of dead.

Starting point is 01:49:22 Friends drink, I cried, the cup of your relief, they he did not but shattered hill and the veil, till Christ bent down and whispered through his grief, still none but thee has found my holy grail. End of Section 85. Section 86, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. The Triumph of Eve. At daybreak, holding heaven in my hands, I pace above the pleats of

Starting point is 01:49:57 ivory sands, and, standing where the sky and mountain mist, kissing cool curves of blue and amethyst, I see the tight break at my breathing feet, and winds leap laughter as they backward beat. One speck of matter on the heaving heights, I, mingling with the measureless, young lights, woman, world breeder, called by man the fair, drink deep the holy nectar of the air. I drink and drink till through all my veins I feel, electric currents of pure ether steel. My throat thropts fire. My small breasts, round and white, breathe milky mysteries of new delight, and sudden in my womb the life of man tugs like a cloud before the tempest van. O thou creator, who in Anne's past, pulsed from thy power the love that leads at last, How do I feel, though mean I am and small,

Starting point is 01:50:54 Some of the joy with which thy thought let fall. Courage for clay through semitones of sound, Welling some part of thee through all the ground. Yesterday, Lord, ah, many years it seems. I was a blossom made, a thing of dreams, who decked my body for my love's fond feast, and laughed to please him as his joy increased. His was I yesterday, his all alone.

Starting point is 01:51:20 now i am his and thine and yet my own doing thy task filled with the force of him and heaped with heaven to my body's brim how may i check my thoughts that rise to thee i woman guardian of thy trinity praise be to thee from whom all mercies flow oozing o'er me the cool creative glow till eyes and hands loose lips and fragrant hair gather the lustre that thy chosen share Dust are my loins and dust my muffled womb, fettered with phantoms of the ghastly tomb. Clay are my limbs from clay thou madest the mall. Warm clay to colder clay at last to fall. Dust is my shell, but that which leaps within cuts off the passage of the wave of sin, living and breathing as I live and breathe, growing and loving as I love and wreathe, garlands and fabrics for its dainty head.

Starting point is 01:52:18 In this my child I never can be dead. In this my child, unborn within me yet, never canst thou be absent or forget. Never wilt thou who breedest thy worlds through me alter the motion of eternity. I watched the dawn in travail for the day, that turquoise tincture lies along the bay, and stretching up my hands to thy wide skies, I feel creation out of chaos rise. As on the dawn of that tumultuous morn, when leaf and flower and crystal brook and thorn, leapt at thy thought till all the vapors world, roses in Asphodel and lightly furled, filigreed fern that hid the embryon wing of warmer life that yet should soar and sing. I pause and mark thy pregnant creatures walk, the grassy cloisters where the young birds talk, and each like me is filled with miracle, holding the life germ in a single cell. I watched them creeping, crawling, flitting by, insect and busy worm and gauze-winged fly, until my blood leaps laughing to a pain, to feel my love, my being cloy again. Oh, wetted bliss, he kissed me on the mouth,

Starting point is 01:53:36 his meeting breasts warm, warmer than the south, leaned on my own, and, while we clung and kissed, flowed over us a stinging dew-like mist. His skin was scented and white as milk. His hair half-humid like a cloud of silk, mixed with my own and sensuous with power. His breath was all about me like a flower. My arms were round him and his hands held me. Close, close, we pressed in bosomed ecstasy,

Starting point is 01:54:06 till fainting, melting with the joy we lay. I he, he, I. and thou, O Lord, that day, so near us both, I knew that thou wast there, weaving thy wonders through our bodies fair. Lord, Lord, thou wast, O God, upon the day when I conceived I had a vision gray. White worlds were torn by rude corruption's claw, and war crammed horror down its bloody maw. The stars were out, the moon had turned to blood, and all the rivers of revenge ran flood. I stood upon this hill while heathen hordes, rushed up, red-fangged with long and slimy swords, death led them on, and, as they swept to me,

Starting point is 01:54:54 destruction ripped the throat of liberty. But through the hosts me thought I saw full strong, my own dear love press headlong in the throng, striving to reach me, though the conflict he fell, closed firm about him with the hooks of hell. Pulsed to the soul with some impassioned power, I felt strange glory in that wondrous hour. My will for sword I faced them from the height, though dark it was and hideous in night, they came, they quailed, they shriveled at my strength, and as the ranks wheeled on an awful length, that sword of me become the hellish strife, and in my arms I clasped my love, my life, He knelt to me, he pressed me close to him, he touched my breasts and all my sense was dim.

Starting point is 01:55:45 I am thy servant and thy king, said he, worshipping thee through God and him through thee. Air is less delicate than thou to me, lilies less fragrant than thy chastity. The soft, gold glory of thy wetted skin is lovelier than stars that swing and spin in measured manner through the hemispheres, lighting the splendor of thy falling tears. O then methought I kissed his gleaming eyes, lifting my voice in loftiest surprise. Is this our hill, or are we two in heaven, talking together with the angel seven?

Starting point is 01:56:23 His eyes looked brimming magic into mine as eyes of saints above a holy shrine. Agents of heaven, O Lord, at thine own will, we swooned together kissing on the hill, feeding our souls and bodies eagerly deep in deliciousness of unity. Lying enraptured with each other there, ravished with ecstasy I seem to share, all wonders of thy mount of horroby,

Starting point is 01:56:48 and hear thyself along the hilltops cry, My judgment throne shall be the noon of day, And life shall blossom from the fallowed clay. T'was but a vision. O, the life of man, is bliss too perfect for our our minds to span, yet deep in me the rapture lies in wait to pour out Eden at an earthly gate. End of Section 86. Section 87, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Outside the Gate. He has gone home to her.

Starting point is 01:57:35 I must not weep, he says. But, oh, it rains and rains upon the road and street, and all the grass is cold. He has gone home to her, and she will climb about his knee deliciously, and kiss his soft, melodious mouth, and talk to him of all the things he did this long, white day. He'll hear her children from their bedroom breathe, and, looking up from the bright fire, she'll say, this little one made two short steps today, and that took down a book, and try to read. This is their house.

Starting point is 01:58:13 The lights glow red within. I must not go too near, lest I should smell the fire, the carpets, and the scented rug, which fondly warms her little slippered foot. If I might rest my cheek upon the gate, his gate, or touch the latch and creep away,

Starting point is 01:58:33 I dare not, for the click would make her rise, and, moving to the casement, She would drop a dear, warm tear upon the pain and say, How cold that poor lost woman is outside. End of Section 87. Section 88 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain.

Starting point is 01:59:04 Read by Elise D. Sonnets of the South 1. Ah, how I love to kiss the hair that lies across the smooth contentment of your brow. to meet our mouths and make the happy vow that mirrors all its promise in our eyes. I love you. How that sweet submission cries out of my heart and lifts me even now into chaste ecstasy. Ah, love, I bow onto my master, and the tempest dies. What am I but a little willing slave, drinking my life from out your strong brown hand,

Starting point is 01:59:44 as blossoms sip the sun that gives them light from the round palm of God with face his grave. Love, loose my fragrant tresses, strand by strand. I'd be a flower and send to you all the night. End of Section 88. Section 89, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonets of the South, too. The melting music of your voice floods me, as summer passion floods the startled rose

Starting point is 02:00:26 that through my lattice window slightly blows some perfume of the pools of Arkady. Love, drown me in its wondrous harmony, breathe on my brows, my fainting eyelids close, till o'er the chalice of my longing, flows not but the nectar of its melody. Beloved, sound the quixenely.

Starting point is 02:00:46 Sound the chords and depths of me, press on my soul the seal of your desire. Oh, bind our lives with such immortal love, God hears it singing through eternity, and, stooping from his cloud-clad, cherub choir, sets to its pulse the swinging stars above. End of Section 89. Section 90, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 02:01:17 This Librevox recording is in the public domain. read by Elise D. Sonnets of the South, three. I had not dreamed that life could be so fair until you kissed its meaning into me and sent my soul along its airily to find a sudden beauty everywhere. Make me a couch of grass love, green and rare, a pansy pillow frilled with rosemary, and be your face the only light I see through the dark, curtain of my falling hair. So shall the wandering winds that come our way, pause as they pass, and tiptoe overhead, fearing to stir the stream of dewy sleep that loops our lives and holds our

Starting point is 02:02:05 souls in sway. And if death comes with sad and pensive tread, we shall not hear the tears his angels weep. End of Section 90. Section 91 from Songs of Love and Life by Zoh, or across. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Sonnets of the South, 4. Sweet soul, forgive me, if a mood of mind has seemed to chill the warm room of your heart, where love sat smiling at her web apart, weaving my being into yours divine. Lean through the dark, your eyes with love as shine, making my own with yearning round. smart. Kiss me again. Ah, I shall never start out of your arms breaking their fierce and twine. Oh, how my throat throbs at the very thought of your dear lips lying upon my own.

Starting point is 02:03:10 Come closer, O beloved, closer still. Till life is death and worlds and heavens not. We too upon this planet, pale, alone, stemming eternity. at Love's Wild Will. End of Section 91. Section 92, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Sonnets of the South 5.

Starting point is 02:03:51 I was a little cagling, life had held tight, before you came and set me free, and made me sore above the narrow little glade of circumstance and self on wings of light. Dear heart, you touched my soul that trembling night. I dipped my body in the love you laid against my heart. Ah, God. Had I but stayed, I might have died of love. Sweet, what delight. And now I live, and the great crown of fire you gave me in the circlet of a kiss sense all my lustrous life. I dream, I wait. The luminous long day faints with a desire. sire. So I, beloved, in an anguished bliss. Ah, cage me in your heart and lock the gate. End of Section 92. Section 93, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This

Starting point is 02:04:54 Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Sonnets of the South, 6. Beloven, if I thread my tears for you, like crystal jewels on a chain of fire, tis that I love too deeply for desire, too frankly and too well to be less true. Nay, let them dim again my eyes come blue, like fountains of pure feeling that inspire all that is small in me to swift transpire and lose itself where souls their maker woo. Love, take me to your heart. I need you so. Oh, let the flooding river of my tears over the tempest of our passions roll, till the clear stream, with life of love aglow, sweeps like slow music from the higher spheres, safe to the brimming ocean of your soul. End of Section 93 Section 94 The Songs of Love and Life By Zora Cross This Libravox recording is in the public domain

Starting point is 02:06:09 Read by caveat The Ragnarok of Regeneration While Halla rang with mirth Loud clear and long The harp of Bragey thrilled the feasters there And from the hanging horns Screams of song echoed the eager magic of his air Magestically moving white and fair

Starting point is 02:06:31 The tall valkyries for the heroes poured meads of delight and everlasting fare that heap the panels of the pictured board and lay upon the plates mid spear and axe and sword. Deep gorge the gods and down the golden floors the shields of silver from the rastus flung. Phantoms of battle while the trophied doors creaked with the freighted treader that they swung. Long thundered Thor, and as his trumpet tongue boomed to the ceiling with his tails of might, the hand-loaked tour from depths of torture rung, the awful horror of the fenerous fight,

Starting point is 02:07:06 till the red room was filled with memories of a fright. Thrown on his chair above the mighty feast, full hearing there the ribald deeds of all, how beast made conquest of his brother beast, Odin sat silent in the banquet hall. His wolves were buried in his long blue pall. His raven slept upon his arm like stone, and over them he let his vision fall,

Starting point is 02:07:29 from turquish turrets of his starry zone, north-south, east-west, to midgard's murk and hell's dark throne. He saw the Viking wallowing in blood, and loke, the loathsome, straining at his chain. He saw the serpent and the venomed flood, or mortal agony beneath it reign, and down the labyrinth of souls unslain, where the galled garm pace steadily and sure, his large blue eyes beyond the plains of pain, through dreadful torment that the dead endure, on boulder fell, the good, the beautiful, the pure. Odin arose, and as the heroes sang of everlasting strife, he restless strode, his pearly platform till his footsteps rang,

Starting point is 02:08:13 like fire along the lofty long abode. They heeded not, but Heimdell where he rode down by-frost shuddered, and in Frigger's room the spinning maidens from their fingers flowed, phillips of fear and the white gnaworns of doom. tangled the patterns in the thread upon their loom. Sudden the cock upon the ramparts screamed, Idrasl trembled and from Odin's stall, Gray steeply had clattered while his bright hooves gleamed,

Starting point is 02:08:40 with fiery fury to the feasting hall, wild terror run her red hands over all, fear fathomed to the depths of her own despair, and loud the hall of Houndal glued the call, of Ragnarok, as on the startled air, noise-musted noise, and war rang roaring, everywhere. Swift, Odin buckled on his golden shield, and leaping to their feet and scattering wide,

Starting point is 02:09:05 plates, horns and tankards as they forward wheeled, the gods and heroes gathered to his side, their glowing armour ringing as they cried, Balder returns, they hurried like a sea, to where the steed stood ready for the ride, and Odin's daughters, mounting eagerly, forth flared the hosts to Vigrant's dark eternity. Then Balder stirred, and out the gates of hell, deserted now by all the shades, he sprang. Upon his steed, and like a mellow bell, the golden hooves across the pavement sang. Higher he mounted, where he heard the clang of splitting spears and thunder, thickening night, with roaring tumults as the war cries rang, but ere he reached the field of fatal fight, down, down, crashed by frost under Rimer's rumbling flight.

Starting point is 02:09:50 An instant rising on his horse He scanned the crumbling battlements And tottering towers Which, as a sunset spilling on the land An opal rain fell like a cloud of flowers So fall the gods he murmured And their powers But to the clamour of his kin he sped

Starting point is 02:10:08 For Balder Where is Balder shot in the showers About his ears and in a haze of red The doom of Ragnarok flashed on his eyes ahead Oh bloody sight thick on the right were ranged his father's hosts and opposite the crowd of giants led by loke whose colour changed when hymdahl charged and moving like a cloud of flame amidst the ranks his foeman cowed now odin grappled fenris ter tripped garm and as the swell of tumult echoed loud above the armies neath his hairy arm thor grip the spitting serpent fearless of all harm hot vapors issued from each panting side infuriated hate and anger dashed good from the path and raging far and wide through the red strife the swords of vengeance gashed delight madly the gods of courage clashed

Starting point is 02:11:01 sword spear and javelin through shame and sin but belching agony the hell-hordes plashed venom of vile destruction while the din of thousand-throated battle volleyed chaos in in anguish balder watched anne hearing high above the roar of thrice accursed fire the moans of women and the dying cry of hymdahl calling him to help his sire he shuddered at the horror of the mire he closed his eyes and turning terrified of steaming slaughter and perdition fled from the flames and at the first great stride old odin groaned and sank upon his face and died but balder galloped on though as he went he heard the clashing cataracts of spears swift falling through the splitting firmament and over all came hammering in his ears the call to him of myriads in their tears he turned not neither did he stoop his crest but shouted to the ear of other spheres lost of the fairest noblest purest best earth has no habitations wherein troops may rest long years he rode then sudden on his sight the glittering walls of gimley lit the west where fragrant spirits multiplied by light slept on the air in co-eternal rest a scent of song his breathing nostrils blest he felt the rapture of his mother's kiss and like a flood of fire about his breast his soul outpoured and nothing now remiss he lighted at the gates and amoured of their belis here dwell the resurrected gods he said my father odin and blind hoda too here youth and beauty all their treasure spread open good gods and let me in with you but gravely mantled in a cloak of blue a strange sweet presence to his calling came and like to all his weary memory knew though balder sank upon his knees in shame not knowing him or how to speak his holy name oh you the present said who fled the world look back on that from whence you sped so fast

Starting point is 02:13:05 i had as leaf you stayed and madly hurled death on yourself as left it so aghast so balder turned and saw a conflict vast a wilder war than ever odin waged on fenris brawling with a screaming blast for human food which as it gorged and raged innumerable nations in their arms engaged pernicious powers encumbered with hot hate marshalled their awful armies rank by rank rage rattled through the world her fiery freight and dreadful murder all sweet beauty to rank in horrid order on the western flank the booming cannons bellowing chorus fell they yawned destruction till creation stank with festering carcasses that knew no knell save million-mouthed disaster frothing yell on yell. Great Balder groaned with pain, but stricken gazed, upon the wheeling companies whose force flamed with hot lust or sea and mountains blazed, and tore tempestuous anger from her source, wrath ruled, and pouring into scordid course, stone, steel and massive missiles spitting fire, stupendious engines wore their echoes horse, while the wild air willed thick with wings of ire,

Starting point is 02:14:15 and on the sea slipped treason seemed of rape to tire. I will go back, moaned balder, unto these. The world is smoking red with butchery, but love to advice in dissipated ease, sits on the knee of gibbering idiocy, and swinish flocks full-fed with luxury, lull in the lap of leisure, thoughtless-eyed. I will return with love and liberty,

Starting point is 02:14:38 the good and beautiful in faith he cried, shall make a newer world by reason purified. But soft the present, smiled and shook his head. Come in, he said, for they themselves will rise on wings omnipotent by pure love led, through their true selves to you and paradise. Longbald was dead, and sudden in his eyes he knew the master on whose neck he cried, and as he clung to him the startled sighs of those infernal puries waned and died,

Starting point is 02:15:07 and man, by God in man, to God rose glorified. End of Section 94 Section 95 From Songs of Love and Life By Zora Cross This Libravox recording is in the public domain Read by Elise D Wedded

Starting point is 02:15:29 The seas of paradise Around me flood I feel their torrents leaping through my blood Melt on my mouth Who spoke of death Ah me This is the margin of eternity The drops of day fall

Starting point is 02:15:45 On my fainting eyes the dew of sleep throbs to my head and dies. I am the vineyard and you are my lord. Death cannot touch us with her scarlet sword. Gather the grapes that cluster round my soul, drink at the milky fountains as they roll over the valleys that my being shrines, feed as a heart among the mountain pines.

Starting point is 02:16:09 My body is no more. It swoons to air from the close sepulchre of one mute prayer, Red the abundant blossoms of the sun That fire our couch and languish one by one You are a flock of doves that round me float Beating your pinions on my perfumed throat Your lips are as a hive of bees that fly

Starting point is 02:16:31 Moist winged and swift to drink the lilies dry Here in the ecstasy of life I rest The doves and bees sleep on my quiet breast Ah God such rapture running through my brain trembles my body back to breathe again. Cold fanged and crimson flanked, death passes by. Some clod of clay crumbles at every sigh. What should we fear?

Starting point is 02:16:56 The full, rich day we know, shall fail not of its tender afterglow. End of Section 95. Section 96, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. the bridal ode soft sped the last and lonely night of my unshadowed maidenhood as youngest stars shed amber light along the wood and through the moon's wind-lucent hair small dulcet voices round and sweet made mellow music on the air of joy complete when drowsed with ecstasies of dream beside my bridal veil i spied great sappho standing in the gleam of still star-tide and by her eyes of love and power she offered me a favour fair the golden blossom of an hour to have and wear o sing i said an ode for me of trembling vows and kisses fine to match the tender witchery of longings mine

Starting point is 02:18:12 sing of the folded bliss that lies in miracles of married rest where a sense that aches for gladness dies to reach love's best o take my soul for your lost liar and from its chords a music sweep to tell my love my true desire in notes that leap like flame of all my being drawn to him surrendering full deep the perfect passions waking dawn from virgin sleep She touched my bridal veil and smiled, as, kissing with her fingertips, the orange wreath upon it piled. She moved her lips. Her singing speech fell faint and low, and round my heart, wild rapture flung. Ah, girl, if you but love him so, my ode is sung. End of Section 96 Section 97. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librovot's recording is in the public domain Read by caveat

Starting point is 02:19:21 Night Ride Faster speed we threw the bracken Catch me closer to your heart Clench the reins before they slacken Lest the frightened fillies start O the blazing penins whirling Ruby jewels on the grass And the burnish blossoms curling

Starting point is 02:19:37 Into phantoms as we pass Down the slender tongue of tracking Let her fly she cannot trip Back of us we hear the cracking of the scarlet stockwins whip. He is rounding up his cattle, fiery steers and steeds of gold. Crimson stallions hear them rattle. Through the forest, fold unfold.

Starting point is 02:19:55 He is groaning with his plunder, turner quickly to the creek. Though his feet be swift as thunder, we shall hear his angry shriek, as we gallop helter-skelter through the cool and plushing tide, to the land of peace and shelter on the safe and southern side. On he follows, nearer, nearer, ring his Brumby's brazen feet, Clipping, clopping, clopping, clearer, clearer, Death's the fire we must defeat. Keep your lips on mine, my darling,

Starting point is 02:20:19 Let the flame-flowers lick my hair. Love can brook the angry snarling Of their passionate despair. Cross the creek he cannot follow. Love will ever conquer all. Down we canter through the hollows, safe at last from scathe and fall. Thus I fancied we were speeding

Starting point is 02:20:35 All night long with love's control From our passion and its pleading To the safety of our soul. End of Section 97. Section 98, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libervox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. In No Woman's Land.

Starting point is 02:21:00 His head was on his arms, and they, like it, were still. His brave, brown eyes no longer lit with passionate purifier fluttered in death, and a faint mist mixed with his parting breath. The young moon came. She moved in folds of light Across the blood-red fields And through the night He heard the shadow of her white feet glide

Starting point is 02:21:21 Like music in a dream She sought his side Upon her milk-white breast She took his head and kissed his mouth My love, his cold lips said And with her loose, sweet hair She shrouded all his limbs He smiled, he died

Starting point is 02:21:39 White gleamed his paw End of Section 98th Section 99 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librevox recording is in the public domain. Read by Elise D. Spring. Eo, Eo, Evo, Hey O. The wine of spring is in the air, with leaves of laughter in their hair, the merry, mad, young manates blow, their glad pipes everywhere.

Starting point is 02:22:14 The Lord of Youth, his Thesaurus swings, above his round and jolly head, As riding on a heifer red, with flowery horns and flanks, he springs across the riverbed. He leads a jocund company of prancing kids and dimpled girls whose whirling arms and flying curls and feet of fire with dancing glee are ripe for revelry. They follow on. Eo, eo! They leap his heifers back, limb light, or pinch the silken sides and white of plump young calves that skipping go to browse, mid-clover snow. And one, more merry than the rest, up jumps and tugs and pulls him down. She rolls with him, all free from frown amongst the grasses, breast to breast, till others join the jest.

Starting point is 02:23:03 They poke him with their pearly thumbs. They tumble him from hand to hand. He, dodging half the joyous band, nips soft in play the first who comes, and all her sweetness plums. But doesn't, up with mirth at last, his hearty laugh rings blithely round, the forest dimples at its sound, with flocks of flowers, the bees hold fast, and young birds cherub past. The wine of spring is in the air, e'o, eo, eo, evo, evo hey oh, drink deep, drink long, the goblets flow with life and joy that scatters care, and youth rains everywhere. End of Section 99. Section 100, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 02:23:55 This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. The Babies Bay. As I came down to the shore today with a tripping toe for a pint of play, I saw swing high where the whitefish ply, a silver ship with a poop of gold, with a captain bold and a bosun old, who shouted, ho if you want to go, to a laughing land with a winking way, come along with us to the baby's bay.

Starting point is 02:24:22 I dropped my age and I climbed on deck, oh, the boards were bright as a starry speck, and Jack and Jill, with their buckets still, came running down to collect my fare. For a happy heart at a childish air, a smile forsooth from the lips of truth will procure you a bunk in the silver ship at the sunset hour when she takes her trip. Away we sailed on a sea of pearl, and the boats and time, made the billow's swirl with heave heave ho for a jolly row and safe return to the good ship's sleep with her freight of dreams and little bow peep whose tiny fold is the golden hold and the skipper love sang a song of glee as he steered us along through the nursery sea and when we got to the baby's bay where the stars spin mirth and the rainbows play the girls and boys with their rosy toys rang nonsense bells till the moon rang out till i heard a hush through the rainbows play till i heard a hush through the rainbows play where the stars the pearly route, a tinkling tap like a fairy's wrap, and we, Willie Winky, stilled the bliss at the stroke of eight with a good-night kiss.

Starting point is 02:25:26 End of Section 100. Section 101. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Libravox recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat. God's at Gallipoli On Lemnos leaned the blossoms of the moon, large as the blooms of fire that lighted Vulcan in his fall at noon from Joe's Olympian choir, and a breeze blew from muddress to the beat, of old gods moving feet. Over Samothrace and Imbros rose a sound of liars sobbed sorrowing,

Starting point is 02:26:07 and up the beaches on the bordering ground it echoed string on string, like the mourned marvel of a deity, death danced along the sea. The Carmagean and her slumber turned and shook her olden soul, myrr and sweet spices in her billows burned and made an incense bowl. For the fair company whose singing came across the tide aflame, Apollo led them in the deeps of death.

Starting point is 02:26:33 From Helespont complained, where Hero and Leander warmed the breath of the foam starry stained, and fast his flight he took unto the strait of youth's untimely fate. But passing that perinthal of woe that wandered at the gate, he saw white lightnings mystically glow,

Starting point is 02:26:49 and landings desolate, And three tall spirits kept a watch apart, Still standing heart to heart, Who trespasses, he said, My hallowed ways, And moved along the beach. Be still, ye flutes, you pipes, cease nymphs your lays.

Starting point is 02:27:07 What graves are these that reach So many and so far into the sea? Who may their mourners be? Has Persia poured upon the earth again, Her young and swarthy hordes? Has Xerxes made all of my shores offence? for his unholy swords. The spirits moaned among the mounds, deep stirred, and a low sob, he heard. Apollo wept, and coming to their side, lifted his face of tears. What dost thou hear among our dead,

Starting point is 02:27:32 they cried, in speech of other spheres. Passing to mourn my own, he softly said, here were my footsteps led. O master mourners, as ye be in truth, I guard the sickled ease, and for the time-clipped souls of love and youth I grieved through all these seas, till Delos Sink, swift and wondrously as once she rose for me but what wild woe has brought ye to my lands who lie beneath your feet o masters answer for i feel my hands aching for summer heat my heart fires crying in remembrance clear and know that youth is here then in a plaintive voice like sighs by night the eldest sadly spake many a bride with tinkling feet and light where lotus buds awake feels the sweet marriage vigor strike her blood in warm in power fashioned flood but through the melancholy field she sees no hot brown lover glide with rapturous longing trembling to his knees in the soft even tide she hears instead my ganges fuller roll with his slain soldier's soul allah has turned the keys the youngest said and from the minarets the slow muazines moving overhead see when the prayer hours sets palm lifted multitudes on bended knee bowed in humility but need the the foldings of their long loose veils, the widows breathe strange sighs, for the brave dead

Starting point is 02:28:56 whose memory assails their dark, reflecting eyes, through small-swort boys who follow in their play their red-fezzed father's way. With awful anguish in his palms of pain, the master hid his face. How could he tell the many tears the grain in every Christian place? Wherever blue eyes dimmed or gray woe-filled, for a young hero killed, he heard the sobbing, are the prophets pale, but pausing full in thought, he made no murmur to their gentle wail, nor to Apollo aught. His mind was mirroring the sounds and sights of youth's eclipsed the lights. Master, you do not speak Apollo's side. Have you no lost ones here? Perchance great sorrow's suppercars in pride or anguish of a tear. Oh, blow ye pipes, ye flutes, a mournful strain,

Starting point is 02:29:44 and let us on again. Young singer of the ages stay, he cry, young lord, be slow to leave, where youth and beauty slumber side by side thine is the right to grieve. I died for man and those who watched with me pang for truth's mastery. Youth, here we meet and find love's little worth in hearts face bound to ours. All these have fallen leveled to the earth within a few fierce hours. Turks Gurkha Christian seeking paradise won in red sacrifice, so let the minstrels of thy pipes play on, and sing triumphant, light that is everywhere when woe is gone remains in thee world free,

Starting point is 02:30:24 and all these legions lying line on line who saw its gleam are thine. Lights leapt in circles round the masters three, they vanished veiled in space, and young Apollo with his company all through that tragic place to lifted liars and pipes above their bed mourned his immortal dead. O hells died the bottoms of the moon, faint fell the wandering airs, The Lone Aegean made a little crumb, like a far-off voice of prayers, and a breeze blew from settler to the beat of new gods marching feet.

Starting point is 02:31:00 End of Section 101. Section 102 from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Lipervox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 10 And then came science, with her torch red lid and cosmic marvels round her glowing head, the primal cell, the worm, the quadruped, striving to make each to the other fit, tongue trumpeting her own unchallenged wit, she offered me the woof of wisdom's thread, and truth and purity that hourly tread the paths were sages in their wonder sit.

Starting point is 02:31:43 And still I smiled and kissed you with a sob, my lips on yours, I heard high up above love's feet ring laughter on the starry sod, and felt the echo through our bosoms throb. Beloved, science ends in our pure love, which shares alone the secrets of our God. End of Section 102. Section 103, from Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Starting point is 02:32:16 This Librevox recording is in the public domain, read by Elise D. Sonnet 14. Dearest, it seems as if our dreams were all we too shall know of those realities, those trembling gardens and fairflower seas, where we might wander from contention's call. For this and that creeps in from rise to fall of our delightings, till eternity seem nearer to us than the lilting breeze that wafts its promise through our nuptial hall. Ah, kiss me oar and oar. Live in our dreams, and nothing earthly to that

Starting point is 02:32:55 joints add, so shall we wake and find life fair or far, and drifting down the stilly, airy streams and the loose raiment of our spirits clad, will meet the miracle of sun and star. End of Section 103. Section 104. Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross. This Librovot's recording is in the public domain. Read by caveat, The Sisters of Sorrow. Last of my lot, a woman-seeming man, I crouched where coiling worms made festered feast, and down the avenues of anguish ran, the broad battalions of the west and east. Pinned fast in agonies of pendant death, swollen with pain these shards of broken shell,

Starting point is 02:33:51 the weight of woe and pity choked my breath, holding me prisoner in a gaspy hell. Stars were shut out. The very angels shrieked, and God himself clapped on him. his ears, his hands, field mice and frogs moved where the grasses leaked, and bloodier dew than ever stained the sands. And there, amidst the mingled strife of men, I was aware two silent figures stood. Alone, unharmed, while from their slimy den the fiends of war claimed human flesh were food. Two nuns were they, with holy eyes devout. The younger hoodlust and her naked head gleamed like a pallid moon About the rout

Starting point is 02:34:32 Where shattered fields They shrouded with their dead The elder never took her eyes from her But calmed each frightened look And pensive sigh And as her lips made prayers As sweet as myrrh The hounds of hell went howling madly by

Starting point is 02:34:47 Foam of red fury From their jaws outpoured And the young sister paled in icy fright O God I strained But tighter grew the cord Of pain and death that held me in my plight till moved by the immortal dream of love that stirred the swinging pulses of the world and urged my soul to swell to tides above i wrenching free myself to aid her hurled i woke silk sheep fair damask iderdown pearls of pure rose from oregon oceans brought pressed on my arms and throb like a crown o fire my hair clung to my brow-braid court fragrant fulllet clothed my

Starting point is 02:35:28 my flower-like breasts, and loomed in an instant in the glee, I saw beneath the crucifix two guests, the pale sad sisters of my awful dream. I looked, and from the eldest thorn-brozed head, the face of Christ smiles plainly over me, making the room where lust had hourly fed, breathed the ambrosia of chastity. I went. I felt the passion tear-rills roll, like drops of blood from wounds where beasts had trod. The Christ, brought me to my own sad soul across its gleam I kissed the lips of God end of section 104 section 105 songs of love and life by Zora cross this Librovox recording is in the public domain read by caveat poor fools one would i could sleep the prison walls are dark the pallet hard and i am sick for rest

Starting point is 02:36:36 rats nor the rafters i can see them now within the cell creeping about the floor oh god i have been here ten twilight since i heard the voice of him who said to me you must confess for your own sake or die i looked at him across the court a kind old man with snowy head and wrinkled cheek and as he spoke i felt the fluttering gasp of women in their seats and one man moaned i killed him i made speech with blood-le lips. Why must I kill him twice to prove my wrong? I cannot take his coarse, red neck beneath these hands again and crush his swelling veins until they burst, as I did then. He struck me on the breast, this one, which still is black. And when his hands imprisoned both my arms, crosswise in agony behind my back, I screamed and said I would consent, and he let go. I smiled at him through lips made thick with pain, but his hot breath and rolling tongue-steemed lust at me, and all my heart upburst. I had a silver knife upon a chain that dangled from my neck.

Starting point is 02:37:46 I smiled again. I smoothed his hair. I kissed his face. I nursed his head, and, from the silver chain I took the little knife and opened it and struck him in the neck. This artery I knew just where. Warm blood gushed on my hand. He shrieked and writhed, and I outstruck again.

Starting point is 02:38:06 here, here, till eyes and cheek and ears were slit and on his soaking-sleeve red murder stenched up death. I was my mother's dearest only child. I knew him not. I sang a little song, a simple thing when from the shade he ran out of my father's wood and lifted me, struggling between his arms, into the green, dark grove. I killed him, but I cannot say how much of me he killed before I smelt the wet world. of his blood and heard him scream for help. I ceased. They bore me swift away. So I am here, and have said nothing more, nor will I ever speak to tell the truth, to kill his shrieking soul with my bruised soul,

Starting point is 02:38:51 that bled beneath his butchery? No, no, yet should I not speak out and save my life? What life? I have no life to live since he, oh, how that jailer's steps rings through my brain. "'Two. I hanged to-morrow, just this night to live. I cannot see the cell for fearful forms with leering eyes and sockets stuffed with fire. "'Oh, God, if you are God, stoop! Pity me! Keep me awake that I may live. Live! Live! You cannot—' They have slipped the noose on me. My heart is stopping, moaning for its life. My loose flesh sags and droops, I gurgled death. Thud! That is my dear. dead body dropping down. God, hour by hour I hang myself until from every rafter of my cell I see, a dangling body, and the body mine.

Starting point is 02:39:47 Where are you, God? Have you forgotten me? I faint, I swoon, I tire. Oh, I could sleep, but let me not for fear I miss or lose one minute of the few that trickle down. Time sick with waiting for the icy last. Mist swim my eyes. My brain is clogged with blood. Each cell of it is red like this, and each a prison

Starting point is 02:40:08 Where a body hangs feet down Oh God, why did I kill him? How he stared, you saw, you saw it all, You see all things, Does it amuse you that you say no word, Nor raise a hand to help me, Will you smile, to see me hanging by tomorrow's hair, Or lift the lids of my young eyes and weep?

Starting point is 02:40:29 These walls are falling on me, hold them up, empty my maddened brain of its affright oh set me free or chain the soul of him i killed you cannot you will let me hang but stifled in my throat my soul will twist through labyrinths of pain through heaven and hell and seek yours out and murder it with his Oh, God, I must have dreamed. Take for my prayers these tears that drop slow gathered from my eyes. They cannot hang me, who is now all hanged. His soul is quiet in the air quite still. What is a murder? What a death all life?

Starting point is 02:41:07 I am a box of clay that empties out. Its contents on the bosom of the air. There is no heaven or hell, no right, no wrong. And I am nothing. Nothing ever was. I am already one with you and him. And he I killed himself, part killed. Poor fools.

Starting point is 02:41:25 They will but hang themselves to morgue morn. End of Section 105. End of Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross.

Classic Audiobook Collection - Songs of Love and Life by Zora Cross ~ Full Audiobook [poetry]

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