I MET with Life one day at dawn And carelessly we wandered on— He seemed a comrade never tired— We built a city many-spired, We knew green fields and copses sweet, We knew the road in mid-day heat, We knew a hundred singing streams And fished their shining pools for dreams. I met with Love one day at noon— I had not thought to meet Love soon— He looked upon my spired town And all its towers fell softly down. His face lay mirrored in the stream And shadow-pale grew every dream— For I had but to look on Love To know what dreams are fashioned of! I met with Death one day at dusk— Beneath the flat moon's empty husk She looked on me, and in her face I seemed some lost delight to trace. "And do I know you, Death?" I cried— All chill, she turned and walked beside— "Love is my mate and Life my child, Their friends are mine," said Death, and smiled. |