Volume I Part 8 (1/2)
_Poet Voices pa.s.sing._ O we live, O we live-- And this life that we conceive Is a clear thing and a fair, Which we set in crystal air That its beauty may be plain!
With a breathing and a flooding Of the heaven-life on the whole, While we hear the forests budding To the music of the soul-- Yet is it tuned in vain?
_Infant Voices pa.s.sing._ Rock us softly, Lest it be all in vain.
_Philosophic Voices pa.s.sing._ O we live, O we live-- And this life that we perceive Is a great thing and a grave Which for others' use we have, Duty-laden to remain.
We are helpers, fellow-creatures, Of the right against the wrong; We are earnest-hearted teachers Of the truth which maketh strong-- Yet do we teach in vain?
_Infant Voices pa.s.sing._ Rock us softly, Lest it be all in vain.
_Revel Voices pa.s.sing._ O we live, O we live-- And this life that we reprieve Is a low thing and a light, Which is jested out of sight And made worthy of disdain!
Strike with bold electric laughter The high tops of things divine-- Turn thy head, my brother, after, Lest thy tears fall in my wine!
For is all laughed in vain?
_Infant Voices pa.s.sing._ Rock us softly, Lest it be all in vain.
_Eve._ I hear a sound of life--of life like ours-- Of laughter and of wailing, of grave speech, Of little plaintive voices innocent, Of life in separate courses flowing out Like our four rivers to some outward main.
I hear life--life!
_Adam._ And, so, thy cheeks have s.n.a.t.c.hed Scarlet to paleness, and thine eyes drink fast Of glory from full cups, and thy moist lips Seem trembling, both of them, with earnest doubts Whether to utter words or only smile.
_Eve._ Shall I be mother of the coming life?
Hear the steep generations, how they fall Adown the visionary stairs of Time Like supernatural thunders--far, yet near,-- Sowing their fiery echoes through the hills.
Am I a cloud to these--mother to these?
_Earth Spirits._ And bringer of the curse upon all these.
[_EVE sinks down again._
_Poet Voices pa.s.sing._ O we live, O we live-- And this life that we conceive Is a n.o.ble thing and high, Which we climb up loftily To view G.o.d without a stain; Till, recoiling where the shade is, We retread our steps again, And descend the gloomy Hades To resume man's mortal pain.
Shall it be climbed in vain?
_Infant Voices pa.s.sing._ Rock us softly, Lest it be all in vain.
_Love Voices pa.s.sing._ O we live, O we live-- And this life we would retrieve, Is a faithful thing apart Which we love in, heart to heart, Until one heart fitteth twain.
”Wilt thou be one with me?”
”I will be one with thee.”
”Ha, ha!--we love and live!”
Alas! ye love and die.
Shriek--who shall reply?
For is it not loved in vain?
_Infant Voices pa.s.sing._ Rock us softly, Though it be all in vain.
_Aged Voices pa.s.sing._ O we live, O we live-- And this life we would survive, Is a gloomy thing and brief, Which, consummated in grief, Leaveth ashes for all gain.
Is it not _all_ in vain?
_Infant Voices pa.s.sing._ Rock us softly, Though it be _all_ in vain.
[_Voices die away._