OAK-LEAVES Crinkled oak-leaves, twinkling in the sun, Splashed by midday showers, dripping cold— Serrate oak-leaves, silvered by the sun That has brushed yon dull brown grass with gold. Green and crinkled oak leaves, tremble now— Strong you would be, strong would be and bold, Ah! green oak-leaves, you are trembling now— By the saucy wind deceived—cajoled! Trembling oak leaves—you are soon to fall, Soon to hide the earth with yellowing mould Twinkling, crinkling oak-leaves, soon you'll fall For the autumn sun is shining cold. Splashed by midday showers, dripping cold— That has brushed yon dull brown grass with gold. Strong you would be, strong would be and bold, By the saucy wind deceived—cajoled! Soon to hide the earth with yellowing mould For the autumn sun is shining cold. [23] [23] SELF-SATISFIED SELF-SATISFIED Well satisfied with all his own, he stands Holding a trembling balance in his hands; On one scale—wealth and ease, men's praises, too— Whatever charms the soul, and keeps it true. But on the other scale—lo—the foul street Where pallid children play, where poor folk greet, And crowded houses dirty, dimly lit, On whose dull walls all misery is writ, Houses wherein the herded cannot fight The ambushed evil lurking day and night. Has he—contented one—who counts his gain, Balanced the cost—the wretchedness and pain Of those who help him hoard his heap of gold? Ah, human life may be too dearly sold! For see, the one scale weighs the other down. His gold, his ease, his honors—by Heaven's frown Withered to nothing, now, behold he stands— Broken his scales—reaching imploring hands. MY VIGIL MY VIGIL Companioned by the lonely hours, My vigil with the stars I keep,— The happy stars that never weep,— The wakeful stars that never sleep, Spirit of me that frets and cowers, Ah, what am I, that I should be And breathe in
Prev.
Back
Top