Water And Wine

I asked for water and they brought me wine; Wine in a jewelled chalice, where the gold Gleamed thro' the purple beads, as if unrolled-- One saw the sun-rays of a life-time shine. So drinking, I forgot my dream divine Of crystal purity, for in my hold Were wealth and Fame and Passions manifold Which with the draught I fancied might be mine.

"Ah, Youth," I said, "Ah, Faith and Love!" I said; "These are but broken lances in the strife! What shall remain when all these things are sped?" Then crashed the dream. I clutched the hand of Fate Amid the ruins of my shattered life, And found the Gods had cheated, all too late.