 | The Collected Poems of Philip Bourke Marston |  |
BIDDEN.
One man at Life's feast sat an honored guest, —
Fame on his left hand, Love upon his right,
And Fame and Love were goodly in his sight;
But while those feasting there waxed merriest,
Sudden his smile flagged far behind the jest.
Then in his eyes altered and failed the light;
For one stood there, vast, garmented in night,
Against whose presence men in vain protest.
Fame on his left hand, Love upon his right,
And Fame and Love were goodly in his sight;
But while those feasting there waxed merriest,
Sudden his smile flagged far behind the jest.
Then in his eyes altered and failed the light;
For one stood there, vast, garmented in night,
Against whose presence men in vain protest.
Another had gall for wine, and stones for bread;
By Fortune buffeted and overthrown,
Knew neither Fame nor Love, but dwelt alone.
To him, “Come hence with me, O Son,” Death said:
Now which seems worse, since all must bow the head;
To know and leave, or never to have known?
By Fortune buffeted and overthrown,
Knew neither Fame nor Love, but dwelt alone.
To him, “Come hence with me, O Son,” Death said:
Now which seems worse, since all must bow the head;
To know and leave, or never to have known?
| The Collected Poems of Philip Bourke Marston | |