Page:The Muse in Arms, Osborn (ed), 1917.djvu/49

 IV

OR the last time, maybe, upon the knoll

I stand. The eve is golden, languid, sad

Day like a tragic actor plays his rôle

To the last whispered word and falls gold-clad.

I, too, take leave of all I ever had.

They shall not say I went with heavy heart:

Heavy I am, but soon I shall be free,

I love them all, but oh I now depart

A little sadly, strangely, fearfully,

As one who goes to try a mystery.

The bell is sounding down in Dedham vale:

Be still, O bell: too often standing here

When all the air was tremulous, fine and pale,

Thy golden note so calm, so still, so clear,

Out of my stony heart has struck a tear.

And now tears are not mine. I have release

From all the former and the later pain,

Like the mid sea I rock in boundless peace

Soothed by the charity of the deep-sea rain

Calm rain! Calm sea! Calm found, long sought in vain!

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