AFTER Apollo left Admetus' gate, Did his late fellows feel a numb despair, Did they cry "Comrade, comrade" everywhere Thro' the abandoned byres, and curse the fate That let them for awhile know him for mate To mourn his going? Did his vacant chair Before the fire, when winter drove them there Make the sad silence more disconsolate? Did yearning ears all vainly, vainly strain To half recall the voice that now was mute? Did yearning eyes strive all in vain, in vain, To half recall the glory of his face, To half recall the God that for a space Had quickened their dead world? and, ah, his lute... |