Page:Songs from Vagabondia (1897).djvu/65

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Gently the Drinker with fastidious careStretched hand to clear the speck away. “No, no!”—His comrade stayed his arm. “Why,” said the first,“What would you have me do?” “Ah, let it floatA moment longer!” And the second smiled.“Do you not know what that is?” “No, indeed.”“A mere dust-mote, a speck of soot, you think,A plague-germ still unsatisfied. It is not.That is the Earth. See, I will stretch my handBetween it and the sun; the passing shadowGives its poor dwellers a glacial period.Let it but stand an hour, it would dissolve,Intangible as the color of the wine.There, throw it away now! Lift it from the sweetEnveloping flood it has enjoyed so well;”(He smiled as only those who live can smile)“Its time is done, its revelry complete,Its being accomplished. Let us drink again.”

IN THE HOUSE OF IDIEDAILY.

Oh, but life went gayly, gayly,In the house of Idiedaily!
There were always throats to singDown the river-banks with spring,
When the stir of heart’s desireSet the sapling’s heart on fire.

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