Sonnet

If on the tally-board of wasted days They daily write me for proud idleness, Let high Hell summons me, and I confess, No overt act the preferred charge allays.

To-day I thought--what boots it what I thought? Poppies and gold! Why should I blurt it out? Or hawk the magic of her name about Deaf doors and dungeons where no truth is bought?

Who calls me idle? I have thought of her. Who calls me idle? By God's truth I've seen The arrowy sunlight in her golden snares.

Let him among you all stand summonser Who hath done better things! Let whoso hath been With worthier works concerned, display his wares!