It was so beautiful, so near,

Thy world,—what could I then but choose

My part there? Nor did I refuse

To look above the transient boon

Of time; but it was hard so soon

As in a short life, to give up

Such beauty: I could put the cup,

Undrained of half its fulness, by;

But, to renounce it utterly,

—That was too hard! Nor did the cry