Page:The Yellow Book - 13.djvu/84



By Stephen Phillips

, beneath the moonless night, This heavy stillness without light, There comes a thought which I must speak Why is my body then so weak? Why do I falter in the race, And flag behind this mighty pace? Why is my strength so quickly flown? And hark! My mother sobs alone!

My son, when I was young and free, When I was filled with sap and glee, I squandered here and there my strength, And to thy mother's arms at length Weary I came, and over-tired; With fever all my bones were fired. Therefore so soon thy strength is flown, Therefore thy mother sobs alone.

Rh