Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/202

174 "SOW THOU SORROW"

TEMPTATION

A MIDSUMMER MEDITATION

I

once the thought: This piled up sky of cloud,

Blue vastness, and white vastness steept in light,—

Struck through with light, that centers in the sun,—

This blue of waves below that meets blue sky;

But a white, trembling shore between, that sweeps

The circle of the bay; this green of woods,

And keener green of new-mown, grassy fields;

This ceaseless, leaf-like rustle of the waves;

These shining, billowy tree-tops; songs of birds;

Strong scent of seaweed, mixt with smell of pines;

Face once this thought: Thy spirit that looks forth,

That breathes the light, and life, and joy of all,

Shall cease, but not the things that pleasure thee;