Classic Poem

Y OU'VE been a wanderer, you!
But I've been a wanderer, too!

You've seen the fine smoke rising
Like a fern uncoiled in spring;
And through the shut blind gazing
You've seen the white fire blazing;

But often I've knocked at your door
For the love I've been asking for.

You've borne, in the starlit expanses
Of the hushed night sorrowfully lying,
Gleams, like the furtive glances
Over one who is dying.

You've seen your sorrow enlarge
Like a sphere to solitude's marge;
And you've gone in need of bread
With thoughts in your heart instead.

So you think I've been filled, to be sure?
And you've never guessed how poor
My leisured safety is!

How I slake my thirst with song
To urge and lure me along,—
How I look for your melodies!