University of Virginia Library

THE STONEN STEPS

A MAN AND HIS FRIEND
M.
These stonen steps that stand so true
With tread on tread, a foot-reach wide,
Have always climb'd the sloping side
Of this steep ledge, for me and you;
Had people built the steps before
They turn'd the arch of our old door?
Were these old stairs laid down by man,
Before the bridge's archèd span?
Did workmen set these stones so trim
Before they built the spire so slim?

Fr.
Ah! who can tell when first—aye who,—
These steps first bore a shoe.

M.
And here, beside the sloping hump,
From stone to stone with faces flat,
The littlefooted children pat,
And heavy-booted men-folk clump;
But which the last may beat a shoe,
On these old stones, shall I or you?
Which little boy of mine shall climb
These well-worn steps, the last in time?
Which girl, childquick, or womanslow,
Shall walk the last these stones in row?

Fr.
Aye, who among us now can know
Who last shall come or go?

M.
The road leads on, below these blocks
To yonder springhead's stony cove,
And Meldon Hall; and elm-tree grove,
And mill, beside the foamy rocks,
And up these well-worn blocks of stone
I came when I first ran alone,
The stonen stairs beclimb'd the mound,
Ere father put a foot to ground,
'Twas up the steps his father came,
To make his mother change her name.

Fr.
Aye, who can ever tell what pairs
Of feet once trod the stairs?