Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/161

Rh Tell us, that when the long-expected comes

At last, with mirth and melody and singing,

We him may greet with banners, beat of drums,

Welcome of men and maids and joybells ringing;

And, for this poet of ours,

Laurels and flowers."

Thus shall ye know him, this shall be his token—

Manners like other men, an unstrange gear;

His speech not musical, but harsh and broken

Will sound at first, each line a driven spear.

For he will sing as in the centuries olden,

Before mankind its earliest fire forgot—

Yet whoso listens long hears music golden.

How shall ye know him? Ye shall know him not

Till, ended hate and scorn,

To the grave he's borne.

YOUTH AND AGE