Song of Life

MAIDEN of the laughing eyes,Primrose-kirtled, wingèd, free,Virgin daughter of the skies—Joy!—whom gods and mortals prize,Share thy smiles with me!

Yet—lest I, unheeding, borrowPleasure that to-day endears,And benumbs the heart to-morrow,Turn not wholly from me, Sorrow!Let me share thy tears!

Give me of thy fullness, Life!Pulse and passion, power, breath,Vision pure, heroic strife,—Give me of thy fullness, Life!—Nor deny me death!