On the Brow of the Hill

Beneath the sea the diving sun
Is searching for another day;
This weary one, its life work done,
Expires with yon swift-fading ray.

Low at my feet the drowsy town
Lies dully mute, awaiting sleep;
In gathering dusk the foothills frown,
And o'er the waves dark shadows creep.

Where once fierce toil the landscape blurred,
And greed's o'erweening passion dwelt,
Now only laggard steps are heard—
The pulse of life can scarce be felt.

The lights that pant with feeble breath
Anon will vanish in the gloom,
And in the very lair of Death
I muse upon an unknown tomb.

Around in graves thrice multiplied
The bones of countless thousands lie;
They found their wish here satisfied
Who sought a nod as Wealth passed by.

Success and Failure side by side
Enrich the dank and ocherous mold;
Conducted by the Pallid Guide,
Alike come here the faint and bold.

The envious and the kind of heart
On evil and on good intent
Out here perform one common part—
Their separate ways together blent.

The cunning scheme, the noble plan
That busy intellects evolved
Here find the worst and best of man—
Life's mazeful problem here is solved.

Yon rotting cross that marks the place
Of ended quest in stranger land
The cancelling months will soon efface,
Nor leave a vestige of it stand.

Yet hear the tale those ruins tell
Ere he who knows the story falls;
And tarrying on this hill of hell,
Obeys the last, most dread of calls.

The man whose dust commingles there
Belike with that of some low thief
Gave promise of a life as fair
As e'er succumbed to blighting grief.

He came in Fortune's crowded train
To wrest from her a fleeting smile;
Erelong he seemed his end to gain,
And reigned a favorite for a while.

Around him gather hosts of friends,
Whose praise and gifts are wondrous sweet;
Who watch that no harsh word offends,
And strew bright roses 'neath his feet.

Beloved by women, sought by men,
His life is one continued joy;
He buys each pleasure o'er again,
Nor in the gold detects alloy.

What wonder that the reckless crew
His early teachings soon erase;
That their ideals his mind imbue—
His once keen moral sense debase!

On, on he travels down the road—
Laughs gaily in each sober face;
Just now he bears no heavy load—
Of coming care he sees no trace.

What use the story to prolong?
'Tis hackneyed—stale on every tongue:
The burden of each dismal song
That poets have for ages sung.

The smiles of Fortune are withdrawn—
Her fickle favors quickly end;
His satellites forget to fawn—
He seeks in vain one faithful friend.

In broken health, enfeebled mind,
To menials then for aid he flies;
And, lastly, failing that to find,
He hugs his misery—and dies.

A conscience-stricken one remains,
Who stealthily erects this cross,
Recording one of Hades' gains,
And sadly marking Heaven's loss.

Bend low, thou gloomy, starless sky,
And in thy tears each hillock lave!
Sob on, thou mournful wind, and sigh
O'er stoneless tomb and nameless grave!
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