Classic Poem

SO, BACK again?
—And is your errand done,
Unfailing one?
How quick the gray world, at your morning look,
Turns wonder book!
Come in—O guard and guest;
Come, O you breathless, from a lifelong quest!
Search my heart; and if a comfort be,
Ah, comfort me.
You eloquent one, you best
Of all diviners, so to trace
The weather gleams upon a face;
With wordless, querying paw,
Adventuring the law!
You shaggy Loveliness,
What call was it?—What dream beyond a guess,
Lured you, gray ages back,
From that lone bivouac
Of the wild pack?—
Was it your need or ours? The calling trail
Of Faith that should not fail?
Of hope dim understood?—
That you should follow our poor humanhood,
Only because you would!
To search and circle—follow and outstrip,
Men and their fellowship;
And keep your heart no less,
Your to-and-fro of hope and wistfulness,
Through all world-weathers and against all odds!

Can you forgive us, now?—
Your fallen gods?