Volume Iii Part 21 (1/2)

Within my breast they touch a string, They wake a sigh.

There is but sound of sedges dry; In me they sing.

THE BURDEN OF STRENGTH

If that thou hast the gift of strength, then know Thy part is to uplift the trodden low; Else in a giant's grasp until the end A hopeless wrestler shall thy soul contend.

THE MAIN REGRET

[Written for the Charing Cross Alb.u.m]

I

Seen, too clear and historic within us, our sins of omission Frown when the Autumn days strike us all ruthlessly bare.

They of our mortal diseases find never healing physician; Errors they of the soul, past the one hope to repair.

II

Suns.h.i.+ne might we have been unto seed under soil, or have scattered Seed to ascendant suns brighter than any that shone.

Even the limp-legged beggar a sick desperado has flattered Back to a half-sloughed life cheered by the mere human tone.

ALTERNATION

Between the fountain and the rill I pa.s.sed, and saw the mighty will To leap at sky; the careless run, As earth would lead her little son.

Beneath them throbs an urgent well, That here is play, and there is war.

I know not which had most to tell Of whence we spring and what we are.

FOREST HISTORY

I

Beneath the vans of doom did men pa.s.s in.

Heroic who came out; for round them hung A wavering phantom's red volcano tongue, With league-long lizard tail and fishy fin:

II

Old Earth's original Dragon; there retired To his last fastness; overthrown by few.

Him a laborious thrust of roadway slew.

Then man to play devorant straight was fired.

III