An Aside TO THE SUN

GEORGE S. CHAPPELL

OSUN, I do not know you well;

I'm sorry, but admit it, squarely.

The sombre grotto where I dwell

Is honored by your presence rarely.

Your morning smile and late salaam

I oft return, by archly craning

My neck beyond the window-jamb,

Except, of course, when it is raining.

But, Soli Mio, do not dream

Your ray is all I have to cheer me.

Not so, for, twice a day, a beam

Shines brightly from a window near me.

Each morn and night, whenas I don,

Or doff, my garb of daily labor,

I keep my weather-eye upon

A planet fair—my lovely neighbor.

Like you, in her remote estate,

She gleams across the courtyard-chasm,

Wherefrom the rays which radiate

Bear, each, a wringing, cardiac spasm.

How like you shines her beauty bright;

While I, unseen, devout, admiring;

Like Zoroaster's acolyte,

Adore her rising—and retiring.