XI. While yet I spake, a touch was laid XII. "If I were thou who sing'st this song, Most wise for others; and most strong In seeing right, while doing wrong; XIII. "I would not waste my cares, and choose, As thou,-to seek what thou must lose, Such gains as perish in the use. XIV. "I would not work where none can win, As thou,-half way 'twixt grief and sin, But look above, and judge within. XV. "I would not let my pulse beat high, As thou, toward fame's regality, Nor yet in love's great jeopardy. XVI. "I would not champ the hard cold bit, As thou,-of what the world thinks fit,But take God's freedom, using it. XVII. "I would not play earth's winter out, XVIII. "Then sing, O singer!--but allow Beast, fly, and bird, called foolish now, Are wise (for all thy scorn) as thou!" MEMORY AND HOPE. I. BACK-LOOKING Memory And prophet Hope both sprang from out the One, where the flashing of Cherubic sword And one, from Eden earth, within the sound What time the promise after curse was said— II. Poor Memory's brain is wild, As moonstruck by that flaming atmosphere And stars to wanner paleness year by year: III. She plucketh many flowers, Their beauty on her bosom's coldness killing; To winds and waters round; She droppeth tears with seed, where man is tilling IV. Hope tripped on out of sight Than sea-bird wings, by storm more frequent made,- V. Memory did Hope much wrong, And, while she dreamed, her slippers stole away; Till Memory met her on a certain day, VI. And so my Hope were slain, Had it not been that THOU wert standing near, Oh Thou, who saidest 'live' to creatures lying In their own blood, and dying! For Thou her forehead to thine heart didst rear, And make its silent pulses sing again,— Pouring a new light o'er her darkened eyne, With tender tears from Thine! VII. Therefore my Hope arose From out her swound, and gazed upon Thy face; Sank downward in a rapture to embrace VIII. Then gavest Thou the smile Whence angel-wings thrill quick like summer lightning, Vouchsafing rest beside Thee, where she never From Love and Faith may sever; Whereat the Eden crown she saw not whitening, A time ago, though whitening all the while, Reddened with life, to hear the Voice which talked To Adam as he walked. |