FATE, the gray Sibyl, with kind eyes above Closely locked lips, brought youth a merry crew Of proffered friends; the price, self-slaying love. Proud youth repulsed them. She and they withdrew. Then she brought half the troop; the cost, the same. My man's heart wavered: should I take the few, And pay the whole? But while I went and came, Fate had decided. She and they withdrew. Once more she came, with two. Now life's midday Left fewer hours before me. Lonelier grew The house and heart. But should the late purse pay The earlier price? And she and they withdrew. At last I saw Age his forerunners send. Then came the Sibyl, still with kindly eyes And close-locked lips, and offered me one friend, -- Thee, my one darling! With what tears and cries I claimed and claim thee; ready now to pay The perfect love that leaves no self to slay! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TREKKING THE HILLS OF NORTHERN THAILAND by KAREN SWENSON AUBADE [OR, A MORNING SONG FOR IMOGEN], FR. CYMBELINE by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE TO - (4) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH THE LOVER SHOWETH HOW HE IS FORSAKEN by THOMAS WYATT FEBRUARY THAW by KENNETH SLADE ALLING THE GOLDEN ODES OF PRE-ISLAMIC ARABIA: TARAFA by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT DEDICATIONS AND INSCRIPTIONS: 11. TO EDWARD THOMAS, WITH A PLAY by GORDON BOTTOMLEY THE JUNGLE WALLAH by BERTON BRALEY SONNETS FROM THE PORTUGUESE: 36 by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING |