 | Areytos or songs and ballads of the South |  |
101
WHY BY THESE FORESTS LINGER?
I.
Why by these forests linger,When there the ocean flows,
And still the sun's bright finger
Rich realm of promise shows?
Here would'st thou struggle vainly,
Thy better powers denied,
Or used in toils ungainly,
That only vex thy pride!
II.
Unloved is still the mortal,Who, born to lead his kind
To Truth's mysterious portal,
Yet leaves the race behind.
They follow, but they madden,
That he should still go first;
And though his gifts may gladden,
They hate the giver worst!
III.
How gladly—could you show them,That he who guides them now,
Stood once, in youth, below them
Would they rejoice to know!
They'd rather tell how feebly
His master sway began,
Than now confess, how ably
He rules the realms of man!
| Areytos or songs and ballads of the South | |