Blue in the west the mountain stands,
Familiar as a face.
Blue, but Vickery knows what sands
Are golden at its base.
He dreams and lives upon the day
When he shall walk with kings.
Vickery smiles—and well he may:
The life-caged linnet sings.
Vickery thinks the time will come
To go for what is his;
But hovering, unseen hands at home
Will hold him where he is.
There's a golden word that he never tells
And a gift that he will not show.
All to be given to some one else—
And Vickery shall not know.
[105]
