Classic Poem

The wisdom of the world said unto me:
— " Go forth and run, the race is to the brave;
Perchance some honor tarrieth for thee! "
— " As tarrieth, " I said, " for sure, the grave. "
— — For I had pondered on a rune of roses,
— — Which to her votaries the moon discloses.

The wisdom of the world said: " There are bays:
— Go forth and run, for victory is good,
After the stress of the laborious days. "
— " Yet, " said I, " shall I be the worms' sweet food, "
— — As I went musing on a rune of roses,
— — Which in her hour, the pale, soft moon discloses.

Then said my voices: " Wherefore strive or run ,
— On dusty highways ever, a vain race?
The long night cometh, starless, void of sun,
— What light shall serve thee like her golden face? "
— — For I had pondered on a rune of roses,
— — And knew some secrets which the moon discloses.

" Yea, " said I, " for her eyes are pure and sweet
— As lilies, and the fragrance of her hair
Is many laurels; and it is not meet
— To run for shadows when the prize is here " ;
— — And I went reading in that rune of roses
— — Which to her votaries the moon discloses.