Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TWO GREETINGS: 2. VALE!, by BAYARD TAYLOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TWO GREETINGS: 2. VALE!, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now fold thy rich experience round thee
Last Line: As salve! In a sweeter tongue!
Alternate Author Name(s): Taylor, James Bayard
Subject(s): Greetings; Religion; Theology


Now fold thy rich experience round thee,
To shield therewith the sinking heart:
The sunset-gold of Day hath crowned thee:
The dark gate opens, -- so depart!

What growth the leafy years could render
No more into its bud returns;
It clothes thee still with faded splendor
As banks are clothed by autumn ferns.

All spring could dream or summer fash ion,
If ripened, or untimely cast,
The harvest of thy toil and passion --
Thy sheaf of life -- is bound at last.

What scattered ears thy field encloses,
What tares unweeded, now behold;
And here the poppies, there the roses,
Send withered fragrance through the gold.

Lo! as thou camest, so thou goest,
From bright Unknown to bright Un known,
Save that the light thou forward throwest,
Was fainter then behind thee thrown

Again be glad! through tears and laughter,
And deed and failure, thou art strong:
Thy Here presages thy Hereafter,
And neither sphere shall do thee wrong!

To mother-breasts of nurture fonder
Go, child! -- once more in beauty young:
And hear our Vale! echoed yonder
As Salve! in a sweeter tongue!





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