Wasted Days

(FROM A PICTURE PAINTED BY MISS V. T.)

A fair slim boy not made for this world's pain,

      With hair of gold thick clustering round his ears,

      And longing eyes half veiled by foolish tears

Like bluest water seen through mists of rain;

Pale cheeks whereon no kiss hath left its stain,

      Red under-lip drawn in for fear of Love,

      And white throat whiter than the breast of dove—

Alas! alas! if all should be in vain.

Corn-fields behind, and reapers all a-row

In weariest labour toiling wearily,

To no sweet sound of laughter or of lute.

And careless of the crimson sunset glow,

The boy still dreams; nor knows that night is nigh,

And in the night-time no man gathers fruit.