Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/239

 LAY ME LOW. me low, my work is done;
 * I am weary, lay me low

Where the wild flowers woo the sun,
 * Where the balmy breezes blow,

Where the butterfly takes wing,
 * Where the aspens drooping grow,

Where the young birds chirp and sing—
 * I am weary, let me go.

I have striven hard and long
 * In the world's unequal fight

Always to resist the wrong,
 * Always to maintain the right;

Always with a stubborn heart
 * Taking, giving blow for blow:

Brother, I have played my part,
 * And am weary, let me go.

Stern the world and bitter cold,
 * Irksome, painful to endure;

Everywhere a love of gold,
 * Nowhere pity for the poor;

Everywhere mistrust, disguise,
 * Pride, hypocrisy, and show;

Draw the curtain, close mine eyes,
 * I am weary, let me go.