So I began my walk of life; no stop Was possible; or else my will was frail; Or is it that the first stumblings entail Weakness no after strength has power to prop? The heart puts forth her boughs; and these we lop For very wantonness; until the gale Is rank with blood; then our life-portions fail And we are fain to share another's sop. At first my heart was true and my soul true, And then the outside world believed me false. Therefore my sweets grew bitter, and I thrust Life back, till it stood still and turned to must. Yet sometimes through the great stagnation calls Of spirits reach me: is it so with you? |