SELECTIONS IN ENGLISH POETRY
Your hearts shall pay in sorrowing,
For want of many a half-seen thing.
'Lo, such as is this garden green, 615
In days past, all the world has been,
And what we know all people knew,
But this, that unto worse all grew.
'But since the golden age is gone,
This little place is left alone, 620
Unchanged, unchanging, watched of us,
The daughters of wise Hesperus.
'Surely the heavenly Messenger
Full oft is fain to enter here,
And yet without must he abide, 625
Nor longeth less the dark king's bride
To set red lips unto that fruit.
That erst made nought her mother's suit:
Here would Diana rest awhile,
Forgetful of her woodland guile, 630
Among these beasts that fear her nought.
Nor is it less in Pallas' thought,
Beneath our trees to ponder o'er
The wide, unfathomed sea of lore;
And oft-kissed Citheraea, no less 635
Weary of love, full fain would press
These flowers with unsandalled feet.
lBut unto us our rest is sweet,
Neither shall any man or God
Or lovely Goddess touch the sod 640
Where-under old times buried lie,
Before the world knew misery.
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