Then it all drops down at a wink!

[Pg 380]

IV

"Ah, the instance! A curl of a blossomless vine

The vinedresser passing it sickens to see

And mutters 'Much hope (under God) of His wine

From the branch and the bark of a barren tree

Spring reared not, and winter lets pine—

V

"'His wine that should glorify (saith He) the cup

That a man beholding (not tasting) might say

"Pour out life at a draught, drain it dry, drink it up,

Give this one thing, and huddle the rest away—

Save the bitch, and be hanged to the pup!"

VI

"'Let it rot then!' which saying, he leaves it—we'll guess,

Feels (if the sap move at all) thus much—

Yearns, and would blossom, would quicken no less,

Bud at an eye's glance, flower at a touch—

'Die, perhaps, would you not, for her?'—'Yes!'

 Prev. P 9/49 next