William Watson
William Watson
silence void minstrels
The after-silence, when the feast is o'er,And void the places where the minstrels stood,Differs in nought from what hath been before,And is nor ill nor good.
feet nemesis
And though circuitous and obscureThe feet of Nemesis how sure!
reeds arrogant brass
Braying of arrogant brass, whimper of querulous reeds.
dream gleam lips
A dreamer of the common dreams, A fisher in familiar streams, He chased the transitory gleams That all pursue; But on his lips the eternal themes Again were new.
song heart men
Threadbare his songs seem now, to lettered ken: They were worn threadbare next the hearts of men.
poet eldest
God, eldest of Poets.
work tired long
Too long, that some may rest, tired millions toil unblest.
wise character eye
Lord of the golden tongue and smiting eyes; Great out of season and untimely wise: A man whose virtue, genius, grandeur, worth, Wrought deadlier ill than ages can undo.
feet weary
Thou hadst, for weary feet, the gift of rest.
guests rooms host
On from room to room I stray,Yet mine Host can ne'er espy,And I know not to this day,Whether guest or captive I.
home sea ease
In this world with starry dome,Floored with gemlike plains and seas,Shall I never feel at home,Never wholly be at ease?
laughter spring laughing
April, April Laugh thy girlish laughter; Then, the moment after, Weep thy girlish tears.
joy graves earnest
Deemest thou laborOnly is earnest?Grave is all beauty,Solemn is joy.
song empires disappear
Empires dissolve and peoples disappear, song passes not away.