CLV. 'TIMOR MORTIS CONTURBAT ME.' COULD I have sung one Song that should survive Of all her sweetest memories; could I give One great Thought to the People, that should prove Of darkness, or control their headlong power All Beauty, and through man's enraptured eyes I had not feared thee. But to yield my breath, Life's Purpose unfulfilled!—This is thy sting, O Death! CLVI. SIBYL. THIS is the glamour of the world antique ; There is the rustle of immortal wings; And ever and anon the slow breeze bears The mystic murmur of the song she sings. Entreat her not: she sees thee not, nor hears Aught but the sights and sounds of bygone springs. CLVII. HESPERIA. My dream is of a city in the west, Built with fair colour, still and sad as flow'rs That wear the blazon of the autumn hours, Set by the side of some wide wave's unrest; And there the sun-fill'd calm is unimprest Save by a flutter as of silver showers, Rain-rippled on dim Paradisal bowers, And some far tune of bells chimed softliest. About the still clear streets my love-thoughts go; A many-coloured throng-some pale as pearl, Some gold as the gold brow-locks of a girl : And 'midst them where the saddest memories teem, My veiled hope wanders, musingly and slow, And hears the sad sea murmur like a dream. CLVIII. LIFE UNLIVED. How many months, how many a weary year "Surely,” I said, "life shall rise up at last, Shall sweep me by with pageant and delight!" But as I spake, the waste shook with a blast Of cries and clamours of a mighty fight; Then all was still. Upon me fell the night, And a voice whisper'd to me, "Life is Past.” CLIX. EVOLUTION. HUNGER that strivest in the restless arms Were the first ministers, till, free to range, Thou mad'st the Universe thy park and grange, What is it thine insatiate heart still craves ? Sacred disquietude, divine unrest ! Maker of all that breathes the breath of life, No unthrift greed spurs thine unflagging zest, No lust self-slaying hounds thee to the strife; Thou art the Unknown God on whom we wait: Thy path the course of our unfolded fate. |