 | The Mockers and other Verses |  |
78
A LAST LESSON
“Αλλ' οιμαι, εφη, εγωγε, ω Σωχρατες, ετι ηλιον
ειναι επι τοις ορεσι και ουπω δεδυκεναι.”
This word, the last of all that granted were
Or ever the poison-frost began to creep
Heart-ward, our Master's wisdom bade us keep,
When one of us, grief-stricken, cried: “Forbear,
Since yet the sun is on the mountains”—prayer
He heard not, nor prolonged our time to weep
With lingering by the verge of that vast deep,
But drank, and ebbed from life as light from air.
And long shall mortals, bidden for bliss or bane
To board of life, hear yet an echo say:
“Who comes well pleased and parts hath double gain:
If mirth swell high, that mirth nowise out-stay,
Nor wear thy wreath till all its freshness wane,
But rise, ere darkness droop, and go thy way.”
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