Classic Poem

The King's three daughters stood on the terrace,
The hanging terrace, so broad and green,
Which keeps the sea from the marble Palace:
There was Princess May, and Princess Alice,
And the youngest Princess, Gwendoline.

Sighed Princess May, " Will it last much longer,
Time throbs so slow and my Heart so quick
And O, how long is the day in dying!
Weary am I of waiting and sighing,
For Hope deferred makes the spirit sick. "

But Princess Gwendoline smiled and kissed her: —
" Am I not sadder than you, my Sister?
Expecting joy is a happy pain.
The Future's fathomless mine of treasures,
All countless hordes of possible pleasures,
Might bring their store to my feet in vain. "

Sighed Princess Alice as night grew nearer:
" So soon, so soon, is the daylight fled!
And O, how fast comes the dark to-morrow,
Who hides, perhaps, in her veil of sorrow
The terrible hour I wait and dread!

But Princess Gwendoline kissed her, sighing: —
" It is only Life that can fear dying;
Possible loss means possible gain.
Those who still dread are not quite forsaken;
But not to fear, because all is taken,
Is the loneliest depth of human pain. "