Classic Poem

When you've averaged emotion, found where Nature goes to school,
“After many years discovered” who God be and how he rule;
Reckoned that Castalia's fountain ran a gallon to the hour,—
Doubtless it and you shall dry. Another race will claim a dower.

Lightly you have sold your meadow and the freedom of the lea,
Sunlight-ripple and sea-burst, the winy air, the spumy sea,
And the wreaths of land whose edge it lifting kisses; and the soul
Of the stars in violet air that wrapt gold circles round the pole:

Lightly sold your heart; forgotten passion, courage, pang and throe,
Love the love and hate the hatred, keenly feel and largely do,—
You that daub with gorgeous colours, hum the strenuous key that pearled
With a nightingale's and Shakespeare's song the æon-withered world.

Life is his that lives. By living, not by learning, may we learn.
And a hand that grasps not life, is gathering ashes for its urn.—
But a breathless race comes flooding from the portals of the sun.
Richer dawns and larger days and wider evenings are begun.