A LITTLE while, with love and youth, He wandered, singing:--
He felt life's pulses hot and strong Beat all his rapid veins along;
He wrought life's rhythms into song:
He laughed, he sang the Dawn!
So close, so close to life he dwelt That at rare times and rapt he felt The fleshly barriers yield and melt;
He trembled, looking on Creation at her miracles;
His soul-sight pierced the earthly shells And saw the spirit weave its spells, The veil of clay withdrawn;--A little while, with love and youth, He wandered, singing!
A little while, with age and death, He wanders, dreaming;--No more the thunder and the urge Of earth's full tides that storm the verge Of heaven with their sweep and surge Shall lift, shall bear him on;
Where is the golden hope that led Him comrade with the mighty dead?
The love that aureoled his head?--The glory is withdrawn!
How shall one soar with broken wings?
The leagued might of futile things Wars with the heart that dares and sings;--It is not always Dawn!
A little while, with age and death, He wanders, dreaming.
