Ii

Confusion, clamour, 'mid the many voices Is there a meaning, a significance?

That life apart from all life gives and takes, This life, apart from all life's bitter and life's sweet, Is good.

Ye see me and ye say: exceeding sweet Life's gifts, his youth, his art, And his too soon acclaim.

I also knew exceeding bitterness, Saw good things altered and old friends fare forth, And what I loved in me hath died too soon, Yea I have seen the "gray above the green"; Gay have I lived in life; Though life hath lain Strange hands upon me and hath torn my sides, Yet I believe. * * * * * Life is most cruel where she is most wise.