FROM the soft South where, leaping like a leopard, Spring runs forth and devours Lean Winter's feeble hours, Northward I pass, slowly as the bent shepherd And gray, drifting sheep Through pastures still asleep In April's clutch; and northward yet the slumber Of wood and fell prolongs, While May forgets her songs And last year's leaves the new leaves yet encumber. Then the keen northern June Sings a belated tune, And at last every glen and mountain cleft With blossom showers:— While the South cowers, Her virgin moment past, her beauty reft, Shamed to recall how she was raped and left. And so, pursuing love, Men through their manhood move, Youth scorched and soon forgot, and Time strides on. Love comes again, again, Ever with more of pain, Ever a surprise, capricious as the sun. Till hoary, shrewd Age peers Over the hedge of years, And love, for love repleading, buys a smile. Then at last all is dull, And in the veinèd skull The eyes stare glazing and affrighted—while Death nears with tongue and gestures imbecile. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...EPITAPH ON CHARLES II by JOHN WILMOT THE PRODIGAL'S BROTHER SPEAKS by BESS SAMUEL AYRES SONNETS OF MANHOOD: 35. BALACLAVA by GEORGE BARLOW (1847-1913) AFFINITIES by CHARLES BAUDELAIRE LOST LAUGHTER by MINNIE HALLOWELL BOWEN BRAW LADS O' GALLA WATER by ROBERT BURNS A DIVINE PASTORAL by JOHN BYROM |