Classic Poem

I TOOK a hansom on to-day,
— For a round I used to know —
That I used to take for a woman's sake
— In a fever of to-and-fro.

There were the landmarks one and all —
— What did they stand to show?
Street and square and river were there —
— Where was the ancient woe?

Never a hint of a challenging hope
— Nor a hope laid sick and low,
But a longing dead as its kindred sped
— A thousand years ago!