A Spring Harvest/"O, one came down from Seven Hills"
"O, ONE CAME DOWN FROM SEVEN HILLS"
O, one came down from seven hills And crossed seven streams:All in his hands were thyme and grass And in his eyes were dreams:He passèd by a seven fields With early dews all greyAnd entered in the stricken town About the break of day.
"O you old men that stand and talk About the market-place,There is much trouble in your eyes And anguish in your face:O woman in a silent room Within a silent house,There is no pleasure in your voice Or peace upon your brows."
"O how should such as we rejoice Who weep that others die,Who quake, and curse ourselves, and watch The vengeful hours go by?O better far to fly the grief That wounds, and never kills;O better far to fly the town And seek the seven hills———"
"I will go pray the seven gods Who keep the seven hillsThat they do grant your city peace, And easement of her ills" "Nay, rather pray the seven gods To launch the latest pain;For there be many things to do Ere we see peace again."
"Then I'll go praise the seven gods With hymns and chauntings seven,Such as shall split the mountain-tops And shrivel up blue heaven:That there be men who mock at threats And wag their heads at strife,Love home above their own hearts' blood And honour more than life."