And now he walks home across the heath. Good night, Gabriel. Why did he kiss my eyes? It was better the first time.
All past, all gone, all dead. I cannot see that I need live in this graveyard.
Perhaps I too shall die; who knows?
THE POSTSCRIPT.
There was a man who made unto himself wings, and thought to soar upon them; but, as he rose into high Heaven, the Sun melted the wax wherewith he had fastened the pinions on to his body, and the poor fool, sinking to earth, was drowned in deep waters.
Now, as Icarus fell into the sea, what lesson would have risen from his heart unto the sons of men?
This?
“Children of earth, the earthworm crawls in its blindness; be content, for ye are such.”
Or this?
“Make wings unto yourselves and fly! My wings were strong, and should have borne me further; I fall and die, yet I have seen the Sun.”