University of Virginia Library


75

III
LIFE.

Young men and maidens, darkling, pair by pair,
Travelled a road cut through an ancient wood:
It was a twilight in a warm land, good
To dwell in; the path rose up like a stair,
And yet they never ceased, nor sat down there;
Above them shone brief glimpses of blue sky,
Between the black boughs plumed funereally,
Before them was a faint light, faint but fair.
Onward they walked, onward I with them went,
Expecting some thrice-welcome home would show
A hospitable board, and baths and rest;
But still we looked in vain all hopes were spent,
No home appeared; and still they onward go,
I too, footweary traveller, toward the West.