 | To Elizabeth Barrett Browning and other verses |  |
9
POET AND MAY
PoetWhy, hurrying by us, dost thou cease
To breathe as thou art wont, O May?
May
Disasterous war, disgraceful peace,
Have taken all my breath away.
Have taken all my breath away.
Let me go on. My eyes are cast
In vain along the village-green;
Its mirth, its youth, its life, is past,
Fever and Famine close the scene.
In vain along the village-green;
Its mirth, its youth, its life, is past,
Fever and Famine close the scene.
This year no crown is mine; I see
None save where drowsy hemlocs grow,
No ribbon save round palsied knee . .
Whistle or weep, but let me go.
None save where drowsy hemlocs grow,
No ribbon save round palsied knee . .
Whistle or weep, but let me go.
May 9, [1856].
| To Elizabeth Barrett Browning and other verses | |