Do not they seem to laugh, as who should say—

"Great master, we are here indeed, dragged forth

To light; this hast thou done: be glad! Now, seek

The strength to use which thou hast spent in getting!"

And yet 't is much, surely 't is very much,

Thus to have emptied youth of all its gifts,

To feed a fire meant to hold out till morn

Arrived with inexhaustible light; and lo,

I have heaped up my last, and day dawns not!

And I am left with gray hair, faded hands,