248
POEMS.
"Oh! show
Me but how measure ye one hour
Of time, that I at least may know
If I lift up this cross what power
I need; and what I win of bliss
If I may dare to pay the cost—
Whole cost, without which I must miss
This joy, and feel my life lost."
Then Joy spoke first, all breathless:
An hour seems like eternity.
"Drink!
My moments hold whole ages. Think
No price too great which buys for thee
This boundless bliss. Such hours as mine
Mock reckonings. The sands stand still.
Drink quickly! I will give the sign
When it is over. Drink thy fill!"
Me but how measure ye one hour
Of time, that I at least may know
If I lift up this cross what power
I need; and what I win of bliss
If I may dare to pay the cost—
Whole cost, without which I must miss
This joy, and feel my life lost."
Then Joy spoke first, all breathless:
An hour seems like eternity.
"Drink!
My moments hold whole ages. Think
No price too great which buys for thee
This boundless bliss. Such hours as mine
Mock reckonings. The sands stand still.
Drink quickly! I will give the sign
When it is over. Drink thy fill!"
I had scarce tasted when, with face
All changed and voice grown sharp, Joy cried:
"Thine hour is past. Give place! Give place!
New hearts impatiently abide
Thy going. Every man fills up
His own swift measure. Thou hadst thine.
Who weakly drains the empty cup
Drinks only bitter dregs of wine."
All changed and voice grown sharp, Joy cried:
"Thine hour is past. Give place! Give place!
New hearts impatiently abide
Thy going. Every man fills up
His own swift measure. Thou hadst thine.
Who weakly drains the empty cup
Drinks only bitter dregs of wine."
Then Sorrow whispered gently: "Take
This burden up. Be not afraid.
An hour is short. Thou scarce wilt wake
To consciousness that I have laid
This burden up. Be not afraid.
An hour is short. Thou scarce wilt wake
To consciousness that I have laid
