“L EAVE all and follow—follow!”
—Lure of the sun at dawn,
Lure of a wind-paced hollow,
—Lure of the stars withdrawn;
Lure of the brave old singing
—Brave perished minstrels knew;
Of dreams like sea-fog clinging
—To boughs the night sifts through:

“Leave all and follow—follow!”
—The sun goes up the day;
Flickering wing of swallow,
—Blossoms that blow away,—
What would you, luring, luring,
—When I must bide at home?
My heart will break her mooring
—And die in reef-flung foam!

Oh, I must never listen,
—Call not outside my door.
Green leaves, you must not glisten
—Like water, any more.
Oh, Beauty, wandering Beauty,
—Pass by; speak not. For see,
By bed and board stands Duty
—To snatch my dreams from me!