Part 3 — THE FORBIDDEN LURE
Reading edition
"Leave all and follow—follow!" Lure of the sun at dawn, Lure of a wind-paced hollow, Lure of the stars withdrawn; Lure of the brave old singing Brave perished minstrels knew; Of dreams like sea-fog clinging To boughs the night sifts through:
"Leave all and follow—follow!" The sun goes up the day; Flickering wing of swallow, Blossoms that blow away,— What would you, luring, luring, When I must bide at home? My heart will break her mooring And die in reef-flung foam!
Oh, I must never listen, Call not outside my door. Green leaves, you must not glisten Like water, any more. Oh, Beauty, wandering Beauty, Pass by; speak not. For see, By bed and board stands Duty To snatch my dreams from me!
Fannie Stearns Davis [1884-