What was he doing, the great god Pan, Splashing and paddling with hoofs of a goat, With the dragon-fly on the river? He tore out a reed, the great god Pan, Ere he brought it out of the river. High on the shore sat the great god Pan, He cut it short, did the great god Pan, (How tall it stood in the river!), Then drew the pith, like the heart of a man, Steadily from the outside ring, And notched the poor dry empty thing "This is the way," laughed the great god Pan, 12 A CHILD'S THOUGHT OF GOD They say that God lives very high! But if you look above the pines You cannot see our God. And why? And if you dig down in the mines You never see Him in the gold, Though from Him all that's glory shines. God is so good, He wears a fold Of heaven and earth across His face. Like secrets kept, for love, untold. But still I feel that His embrace Slides down by thrills, through all things made, Through sight and sound of every place: As if my tender mother laid On my shut lids, her kisses' pressure, Half-waking me at night; and said, "Who kissed you through the dark, dear guesser ?" EDWARD FITZGERALD (1809-1883) FROM THE RUBAIYAT OF OMAR KHAYYAM 6 Her sense; but most she loathed the hour THE LADY OF SHALOTT PART I On either side of the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the wold and meet the sky; And thro' the field the road runs by To many-tower'd Camelot; Willows whiten, aspens quiver, Thro' the wave that runs forever By the island in the river Flowing down to Camelot. Four grey walls, and four grey towers, By the margin, willow-veil'd, Skimming down to Camelot: But who hath seen her wave her hand? Or is she known in all the land, Only reapers, reaping early Down to tower'd Camelot: 78 84 18 27 36 PART II There she weaves by night and day A magic web with colours gay. |