Orderly range the seasons due, and orderly roll the stars.
How shall we deem the soldier brave who frets of his wounds and scars?
Are we as senseless brutes that we should dash at the well-seen bars?
No, we are here with feet unfixed, but ever as if with lead
Drawn from the orbs which shine above to the orb on which we tread,
Down to the dust from which we came and with which we shall mingle dead.
No, we are here to wait and work, and strain our banished eyes,
Weary and sick of soil and toil, and hungry and fain for skies
Far from the reach of wingless men and not to be scaled with cries.
Why do we mourn the days that go,—for the same sun shines each day,
Ever a spring her primrose hath, and ever a May her may,—
Sweet as the rose that died last year, is the rose that is born to-day.
Do we not too return, we men, as ever the round earth whirls?
Never a head is dimmed with gray but another is sunned with curls.
She was a girl and he was a boy, but yet there are boys and girls.
Ah, but alas for the smile of smiles that never but one face wore!
Ah, for the voice that has flown away like a bird to an unseen shore!
Ah, for the face—the flower of flowers—that blossoms on earth no more!
Cosmo Monkhouse.
FAIR STAR THAT ON THE SHOULDER OF YON HILL.
FAIR star that on the shoulder of yon hill
Peepest, a little eye of tranquil night,
Come forth. Nor sun nor moon there is to kill
Thy ray with broader light.
Shine, star of eve that art so bright and clear;
Shine, little star, and bring my lover here.
My lover! oh, fair word for maid to hear!
My lover who was yesterday my friend!
Oh, strange we did not know before how near
Our stream of life smoothed to its fated end!
Shine, star of eve, as Love’s self bright and clear;
Shine, little star, and bring my lover here.
He comes! I hear the echo of his feet.
He comes! I fear to stay, I cannot go.
O Love, that thou art shame-fast, bitter-sweet;
Mingled with pain, and conversant with woe!
Shine, star of eve, more bright as night draws near;
Shine, little star, and bring my lover here.
Lewis Morris.