As the days go, and as some plan
1
'Mid all my wanderings I discern,
Divinely hid when I began
This curious pilgrimage of man,—
Knowing it all, yet all to learn!—
5
With plumed feet on the flaming quest,
I come to see that Time knew best.
The loss that smote my heart in twain,
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The bitterness of young despair,
The face I shall not see again:
Glad grow I of that ancient pain;
Fair though that face, and still how fair!
12
I do not sorrow any more—
Time kept a fairer face in store.
Not to have lost were loss indeed!
15
I smile back on the frantic boy,
Alight with hope, and flushed with speed,
Who could not know his spirit freed,
As, one by one, Time took each joy,
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Each cherished bauble of desire,
And sternly cast them on the fire.
Thus, eased of things of no avail,
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Wishes that burden, dreams that die,
My light boat spreads a fearless sail,
Laughing alike with sun and gale,
Safe as a bird is in the sky—
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Her cargo now is nought but gold;
Her port—I have not yet been told.