Classic Poem

STATIO TERTIA

The stream is very sweet
To-day ... Just see the swallow dart!
How fleet!
It sent a shiver to my heart.
If he had lived , you say —
Well, well — if he had lived, what then?
Some men
Will always argue — yes, I know ... of course ...
The argument has force.
If he had lived, he might have changed —
From bad to worse?
Nay, my shrewd balance-setter,
Why not from good to better?
Why not to best? to joy
And splendour? O, my boy!
I did not want this argument in the least,
My soul had ceased
From doubt and questioning —
That swallow's wing!
What a transcendent rush!
Hush! hush!
Or, if you talk, talk low:
For ... do you know ...
Just as the swallow dipt,
I felt as if a soft hand slipt
Its fingers into mine ... he's near ...
He's with us ... 'tis not right the child should hear
This jangling ... low then, low!
Or this is better ... go,
Go, darling; play upon the bank,
And prank
Your hair with daisy and with buttercup,
And we will meet you higher up.
Now then ... If he had lived? if my sweet son
Had lived? ... You stare ...
There! there!
'Tis gone, 'tis gone —
It was the swallow's dart
That sent a shiver to my heart.