[Editor: This poem by Grant Hervey was published in Australians Yet and Other Verses, 1913.]
Thro’ Storm and Gloom
’Tis care and sorrow that try love,
And declare it false or true ;
Will the stars in the eyes of thy love
Shine aye with a steadfast hue ?
For ’tis only the purest passion
That stands misfortune’s test,
When the ships of our heart’s hopes crash on
Strange rocks, and sink to rest.
Some eyes are stars in splendour,
When the league-long breakers boom ;
Aye, their love shines true and tender
Thro’ storm and gloom !
Not a love of the sunshine only,
When the gladsome world is warm,
But a love when a man lies pronely,
With his face to the beating storm !
Not a love like a splendid bubble,
That is slain by a passing breath,
But a love that lives through trouble —
Aye, a love that lasts till death !
Not a love that becomes poor ashes
When we strike the shores of doom,
But a love whose true light flashes
Thro’ storm and gloom !
There are false, vain loves, my brothers —
Vows blown with the winds away ;
But huzza ! there are also others —
There are loves that last for aye !
There are arms that stretch in yearning,
There are lips all-faithful yet,
There are loves like beacons burning
When the winds are wild and wet !
And we steer for our Harbour slowly,
When the nights are white with spume,
By the light of that Beacon holy —
Thro’ storm and gloom !
’Tis care and sorrow that try love,
And declare it false or true,
But the stars in the eyes of my love
Shine aye with a steadfast hue !
For Hers is the purest passion —
Aye, it stands misfortune’s test,
When the ships of my heart’s hopes crash on
Strange rocks, and sink to rest.
For Her eyes are stars in splendour,
When the league-long breakers boom ;
Aye ! Her love shines true and tender
Through storm and gloom !
Source:
Grant Hervey. Australians Yet and Other Verses, Thomas C. Lothian, Melbourne, 1913, pages 47-48
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