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The Poetical Works of John Payne

Definitive Edition in Two Volumes
Payne, John (1842-1916)

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VOL. I
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VOL. II
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LONDON CITY POEMS.
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BALLADS AND ROMANCES.
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SONNETS.
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EXOTICA.
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SONGS OF LIFE AND DEATH.

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203

KYRIELLE.

A LARK in the mesh of the tangled vine,
A bee that drowns in the flower-cup's wine,
A fly in the mote's each mother's son:
All things must end that have begun.
A little pain, a little pleasure,
A little heaping-up of treasure;
Then no more gazing upon the sun.
All things must end that have begun.
Where is the time for hope or doubt?
A puff of the wind, and life is out;
A turn of the wheel, and rest is won.
All things must end that have begun.
Golden morning and purple night,
Life that fails with the failing light.
Deathless but Death alone is none:
All things must end that have begun.
Ending waits on the brief beginning.
Is the prize worth the stress of winning?
E'en in the dawning the day is done.
All things must end that have begun.
Weary waiting and weary striving,
Glad outsetting and sad arriving;
What is it worth when the race is run?
All things must end that have begun.
Speedily fades the morning glitter;
Love grows irksome and wine grows bitter;
Two are parted from what was one.
All things must end that have begun.
204

Toil and pain and the evening rest:
Joy is weary and sleep is best;
Fair and softly life's spool is spun:
All things must end that have begun.
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