To Harry Ellis Wooldridge

Love and the Muse have left their home, now bare Of memorable beauty, all is gone, The dedicated charm of Yattendon, Which thou wert apt, dear Hal, to build and share. What noble shades are flitting, who while-ere Haunted the ivy’d walls, where time ran on In sanctities of joy by reverence won, Music and choral grace and studies fair!

These on some kindlier field may Fate restore, And may the old house prosper, dispossest Of her whose equal it can nevermore Hold till it crumble: O nay! and the door Will moulder ere it open on a guest To match thee in thy wisdom and thy jest.

October, 1905.