XXVII

Why didst thou leave the trodden paths of men

      Too soon, and with weak hands though mighty heart

      Dare the unpastured dragon in his den?

      Defenceless as thou wert, oh, where was then

      Wisdom the mirrored shield, or scorn the spear?

      Or hadst thou waited the full cycle, when

      Thy spirit should have filled its crescent sphere,

The monsters of life's waste had fled from thee like deer.