Poems (Craik)/Grace of Clydeside

by Dinah Maria Craik

GRACE OF CLYDESIDE.

H, little Grace of the golden locks,
 The hills rise fair on the shores of Clyde.
As the merry waves wear out these rocks
She wears my heart out, glides past and mocks:
 But heaven's gate ever stands open wide.

The boat goes softly along, along,
 Like a river of life glows the amber Clyde;
Her voice floats near me like angels' song,—
Ah, sweet love-death, but thy pangs are strong!
 Though heaven's gate ever stands open wide.

We walk by the shore and the stars shine bright,
 But coldly, above the solemn Clyde:
Her arm touches mine—her laugh rings light—
One hears my silence: His merciful night
 Hides me—Can heaven be open wide?

I ever was but a dreamer, Grace:
 As the gray hills watch o'er the sunny Clyde,
Standing afar, each in his place,
I watch your young life's beautiful race,
 Apart—until heaven be opened wide.

And sometimes when in the twilight balm
 The hills grow purple along the Clyde,
The waves flow softly and very calm,
I hear all nature sing this one psalm,
 That " heaven's gate ever stands open wide."

So, happy Grace, with your spirit free,
 Laugh on! life is sweet on the banks of Clyde;
This is no blame unto thee or me;
Only God saw it could not be,
 Therefore His heaven stands open wide.