Page:Poems and ballads (IA balladspoems00swinrich).pdf/72

 Wave to wave answers, tree responds to tree; Couldst thou not watch with me?

Sunbeam by sunbeam creeps from line to line, Foam by foam quickens on the brightening brine; Sail by sail passes, flower by flower gets free; Couldst thou not watch with me?

Last year, a brief while since, an age ago, A whole year past, with bud and bloom and snow, O moon that wast in heaven, what friends were we! Couldst thou not watch with me?

Old moons, and last year's flowers, and last year's snows Who now saith to thee, moon? or who saith, rose? O dust and ashes, once found fair to see! Couldst thou not watch with me?