Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/242

 For we that sing and you that love Know that which man may, only we. The rest live under us; above, Live the great gods in heaven, and see What things shall be.

So this thing is and must be so; For man dies, and love also dies. Though yet love’s ghost moves to and fro The sea-green mirrors of your eyes, And laughs, and lies.

Eyes coloured like a water-flower, And deeper than the green sea’s glass; Eyes that remember one sweet hour— In vain we swore it should not pass; In vain, alas!

Ah my Félise, if love or sin, If shame or fear could hold it fast, Should we not hold it? Love wears thin, And they laugh well who laugh the last. Is it not past?

The gods, the gods are stronger; time Falls down before them, all men’s knees Bow, all men’s prayers and sorrows climb Like incense towards them; yea, for these Are gods, Félise.