A TWO-YEARS’ IDYLL
Reading edition
Yes; such it was; Just those two seasons unsought, Sweeping like summertide wind on our ways; Moving, as straws, Hearts quick as ours in those days; Going like wind, too, and rated as nought Save as the prelude to plays Soon to come—larger, life-fraught: Yes; such it was.
“Nought” it was called, Even by ourselves—that which springs Out of the years for all flesh, first or last, Commonplace, scrawled Dully on days that go past. Yet, all the while, it upbore us like wings Even in hours overcast: Aye, though this best thing of things, “Nought” it was called!
What seems it now? Lost: such beginning was all; Nothing came after: romance straight forsook Quickly somehow Life when we sped from our nook, Primed for new scenes with designs smart and tall . . . —A preface without any book, A trumpet uplipped, but no call; That seems it now.
BY HENSTRIDGE CROSS AT THE YEAR’S END
(From this centuries-old cross-road the highway leads east to London, north to Bristol and Bath, west to Exeter and the Land’s End, and south to the Channel coast.)
Why go the east road now? . . . That way a youth went on a morrow After mirth, and he brought back sorrow Painted upon his brow Why go the east road now?
Why go the north road now? Torn, leaf-strewn, as if scoured by foemen, Once edging fiefs of my forefolk yeomen, Fallows fat to the plough: Why go the north road now?
Why go the west road now? Thence to us came she, bosom-burning, Welcome with joyousness returning . . . —She sleeps under the bough: Why go the west road now?
Why go the south road now? That way marched they some are forgetting, Stark to the moon left, past regretting Loves who have falsed their vow . . . Why go the south road now?
Why go any road now? White stands the handpost for brisk on-bearers, “Halt!” is the word for wan-cheeked farers Musing on Whither, and How . . . Why go any road now?
“Yea: we want new feet now” Answer the stones. “Want chit-chat, laughter: Plenty of such to go hereafter By our tracks, we trow! We are for new feet now.”
During the War.