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BUILDERS OF RUINS.
29
And here or there, at our desire,
The little clamorous owl shall sit
Through her still time; and we aspire
To make a law (and know not it)
Unto the life of a wild briar.
We have a perfect purpose, dear,
Though from our consciousness 'tis hidden.
Thou, time to come, shalt make it clear,
Undoing our work; we are children chidden
With pity, and smiles of many a year.
Who shall allot the praise, and guess
What part is yours and what is ours?—
O years that certainly will bless
Our flowers with fruits, our seeds with flowers,
With ruin all our perfectness.
Be patient, Time, of our delays,
Too happy hopes, and wasted fears,
Our faithful ways, our wilful ways.
Solace our labours, O our seers
The seasons, and our bards the days;
