Page:New poems and variant readings, Stevenson, 1918.djvu/35

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"ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA"
15

AFTER READING "ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA"

As when the hunt by holt and field
Drives on with horn and strife,
Hunger of hopeless things pursues
Our spirits throughout life.


The sea's roar fills us aching full
Of objectless desire—
The sea's roar, and the white moon-shine,
And the reddening of the fire.


Who talks to me of reason now?
It would be more delight
To have died in Cleopatra's arms
Than be alive to-night.

I KNOW NOT HOW, BUT AS I COUNT

I know not how, but as I count
The beads of former years,
Old laughter catches in my throat
With the very feel of tears.