23 THE CONQUEROR PASSES

Awaken! for the servitors of Spring Proclaim his triumph! ah, make haste to see With what tempestuous pageantry they bring The victor homeward! haste, for this is he That cast out Winter, and all woes that cling To Winter’s garments, and bade April be! And now that Spring is master, let us be Content, and laugh as anciently in spring The battle-wearied Tristran laughed, when he Was come again Tintagel-ward, to bring Glad news of Arthur’s victory—and see Ysoude, with parted lips, that waver and cling. Not yet in Brittany must Tristran cling To this or that sad memory, and be Alone, as she in Cornwall; for in spring Love sows against far harvestings,—and he Is blind, and scatters baleful seed that bring Such fruitage as blind Love lacks eyes to see. Love sows, but lovers reap: and ye will see The loved eyes lighten, feel the loved lips cling, Never again when in the grave ye be Incurious of your happiness in spring, And get no grace of Love there, whither he That bartered life for love no love may bring. No braggart Heracles avails to bring Alcestis hence; nor here may Roland see The eyes of Aude; nor here the wakening spring Vex any man with memories: for there be No memories that cling as cerements cling, No force that baffles Death, more strong than he. Us hath he noted, and for us hath he An hour appointed; and that hour will bring Oblivion.—Then laugh! Laugh, dear, and see The tyrant mocked, while yet our bosoms cling, While yet our lips obey us, and we be Untrammeled in our little hour of spring! Thus in the spring we jeer at Death, though he Will see our children perish, and will bring Asunder all that cling while love may be.