Page:The poetical works of Matthew Arnold, 1897.djvu/501

Rh Something haunts my conscience, brings

Sad, compunctious visitings.

Other favorites, dwelling here,

Open lived to us, and near;

Well we knew when they were glad,

Plain we saw if they were sad,

Joy'd with them when they were gay,

Soothed them in their last decay;

Sympathy could feel and show

Both in weal of theirs and woe.

Birds, companions more unknown,

Live beside us, but alone;

Finding not, do all they can,

Passage from their souls to man.

Kindness we bestow, and praise,

Laud their plumage, greet their lays;

Still, beneath their feather'd breast,

Stirs a history unexpress'd.

Wishes there, and feelings strong,

Incommunicably throng;

What they want, we cannot guess,

Fail to track their deep distress—

Dull look on when death is nigh,

Note no change, and let them die.

Poor Matthias! couldst thou speak,

What a tale of thy last week!

Every morning did we pay

Stupid salutations gay,

Suited well to health, but how

Mocking, how incongruous now!

Cake we offer'd, sugar, seed,

Never doubtful of thy need;

Praised, perhaps, thy courteous eye,