Wessex Poems and Other Verses: Middle-Age Enthusiasms

Middle-Age Enthusiasms

To M. H.

-

   We passed where flag and flower
   Signalled a jocund throng;
   We said:  "Go to, the hour
   Is apt!"--and joined the song;
And, kindling, laughed at life and care,
Although we knew no laugh lay there.
   We walked where shy birds stood
   Watching us, wonder-dumb;
   Their friendship met our mood;
   We cried:  "We'll often come:
We'll come morn, noon, eve, everywhen!"
- We doubted we should come again.
   We joyed to see strange sheens
   Leap from quaint leaves in shade;
   A secret light of greens
   They'd for their pleasure made.
We said:  "We'll set such sorts as these!"
- We knew with night the wish would cease.
   "So sweet the place," we said,
   "Its tacit tales so dear,
   Our thoughts, when breath has sped,
   Will meet and mingle here!" . . .
"Words!" mused we.  "Passed the mortal door,
Our thoughts will reach this nook no more."

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