num_pages: 12
description: Here where the world is quiet ; Here where all trouble seemsDead winds and spent waves riot In doubtful dreams of dreams ;I watch the green field growingFor reaping folk and sowingFor harvest-time and mowing A sleepy world of streams. I am tired of tears and laughter And men that laugh and weep ;Of what may come hereafter For men that sow to reap :I am weary of days and hoursBlown buds of barren flowersDesires and dreams and powers And everything but sleep. Here life has death for neighbour And far from eye or earWan waves and wet winds labour Weak ships and spirits steer ;They drive adrift and whitherThey wot not who make thither ;But no such winds blow hither And no such things grow here. No growth of moor or coppice No heather-flower or vineBut bloomless buds of poppies Green grapes of ProserpinePale beds of blowing rushesWhere no leaf blooms or blushesSave this whereout she crushes For dead men deadly wine. Pale without name or number In fruitless fields of cornThey bow themselves and slumber All night till light is born ;And like a soul belatedIn hell and heaven unmatedBy cloud and mist abated Comes out of darkness morn. Though one were strong as seven He too with death shall dwellNor wake with wings in heaven Nor weep for pains in hell ;Though one were fair as rosesHis beauty clouds and closes ;And well though love reposes In the end it is not well. Pale beyond porch and portal Crowned with calm leaves she standsWho gathers all things mortal With cold immortal hands ;Her languid lips are sweeterThan loves who fears to greet herTo men that mix and meet her From many times and lands. She waits for each and other She waits for all men born ;Forgets the earth her mother The life of fruits and corn ;And spring and seed and swallowTake wing for her and followWhere summer song rings hollow And flowers are put to scorn. There go the loves that wither The old loves with wearier wings ;And all dead years draw thither And all disastrous things ;Dead dreams of days forsakenBlind buds that snows have shakenWild leaves that winds have taken Red strays of ruined springs. We are not sure of sorrow And joy was never sure ;To-day will die to-morrow ; Time stoops to no mans lure ;And love grown faint and fretfulWith lips but half regretfulSighs and with eyes forgetful Weeps that no loves endure. From too much love of living From hope and fear set freeWe thank with brief thanksgiving Whatever gods may beThat no life lives for ever ;That dead men rise up never ;That even the weariest river Winds somewhere safe to sea. Then star nor sun shall waken Nor any change of light :Nor sound of waters shaken Nor any sound or sight :Nor wintry leaves nor vernalNor days nor things diurnal ;Only the sleep eternal In an eternal night.
language: English
title: The Garden of Proserpine
publisher: Simon King Press