Page:Stevenson - Songs of Travel (1896).djvu/45

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TO ——

thee strong and quiet like the hills;

I knew thee apt to pity, brave to endure,

In peace or war a Roman full equipt;

And just I knew thee, like the fabled kings

Who by the loud sea-shore gave judgment forth,

From dawn to eve, bearded and few of words.

What, what, was I to honour thee? A child;

A youth in ardour but a child in strength,

Who after virtue's golden chariot-wheels

Runs ever panting, nor attains the goal.

So thought I, and was sorrowful at heart.

Since then my steps have visited that flood

Along whose shore the numerous footfalls cease, 29