 | Studies from the Antique and Sketches from Nature |  |
98
THE GARDEN OF NEMESIS.
Gather, oh gather all the fruits ye will,
Children of Earth who roam my garden fair!—
All that the choicest essences distil,
All blossoms that enrich the fragrant air,
All beauty or delight of bud or leaf,
All dainty grapes or apples of desire,
Wreaths for your triumph, garlands for your grief,
And festive coronals for harp or lyre—
Yours is the garden, use it as you may,
Ere all its glories fade and pomp of bloom decay.
Children of Earth who roam my garden fair!—
All that the choicest essences distil,
All blossoms that enrich the fragrant air,
All beauty or delight of bud or leaf,
All dainty grapes or apples of desire,
Wreaths for your triumph, garlands for your grief,
And festive coronals for harp or lyre—
Yours is the garden, use it as you may,
Ere all its glories fade and pomp of bloom decay.
But use it wisely: every visible fruit
Hath one invisible on the self-same bough—
Sorrow's the shadow of Joy; and from one root
Spring balm and bale: the avenging gods allow
No pleasure without pain—no crime or sin
Without its destined punishment, twin born;
Delight's fresh apple hath an asp within,
And Healing points the barb of Misery's thorn—
Fate plants the tree, and tends the opening flower—
Walk warily, mortal men, there's danger in the bower!
Hath one invisible on the self-same bough—
Sorrow's the shadow of Joy; and from one root
Spring balm and bale: the avenging gods allow
99
Without its destined punishment, twin born;
Delight's fresh apple hath an asp within,
And Healing points the barb of Misery's thorn—
Fate plants the tree, and tends the opening flower—
Walk warily, mortal men, there's danger in the bower!
| Studies from the Antique and Sketches from Nature | |