THE OLD WORLD MOANS AND TOPES
The old world moans and topes,
Is restless and ill at ease;
And the old-world politicians
Prescribe for the new disease.
I have stooped my head to listen
(Its voice is far from strong)[1]
For the burthen of its moanings
As it topes all night long.
I have watched a patient vigil
Beside its fever bed,
And I think that I can tell you
The burthen of what it said:—
"As sick folk long for morning
And long for night again,
So long for noble objects
The hearts of noble men.
"They long and grope about them,
- ↑ In a hand, written much later, Stevenson penciled three exclamation marks after this line, then added, "Bully for you, L. Stevenson!"
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