RONDEAU—SEED-TIME

THE field is wide, broadcast the seed

Of human hope and human need,

As, to and fro, from end to end,

The furrows of the world ye wend

Its legioned hungry mouths to feed.

Though lowering o’er the landscape bend

The brows of winter, rains descend,

And tempest sowings whirlwinds breed,

The field is wide.

Sowing, ye shall reap indeed

Golden grain, or grisly weed,

Or dragon’s teeth, that in the end,

Perchance, in golden ears depend,

Sunward, as our path doth lead,

The field is wide.

A SEAT for three, where host and guest

May side by side pass toast or jest;

And be their number two or three

With elbow-room and liberty,

What need to wander east or west?

A book for thought, a nook for rest,

And meet for fasting or for fest,

In fair and equal parts to be

A seat for three.

Then give you pleasant company,

For youth or eld a shady tree;

A roof for council or sequest,

A corner in a homely nest,

Free, equal, and fraternally,

A seat for three.