Whym Chow: Flame of Love :: :: University of Virginia Library

Doomed little wanderer, doomed to move
As Lion or Bear in heaven above
O little star, our woe!...
Thou wert not of a god en-starred,
When on thee fell that fortune hard
To wander here as in the sky
Those shining Beasts that no more die,
But in constellation spin.
Thou wert mortal to begin
An endless movement so!
Thy little ruby head, soft, blind—
What agony when we entwined
Our arms and fain would hold thee far
From thy destiny of Star!
Quiet, sweet, a moment's space:
Thou would'st rest from charmed pace:...
As thou saidst No, No!
Gently then thou would'st pursue
Still thy Course, soft breaking through
Our protection from the great
Doom of thy unearthy fate;
Courteous, placant, out of noose,
Pitying love had thrown, let loose,
Weary, little, ruby head,
Feet of gold with steps of lead—
Thou didst pass along the ground
As a star that rideth round

On its circles in the sky;
Yet indeed thou had'st to die—
Yea, and stumbled in the stress
Of persisting weariness.