The clouds are pushing in grey reluctance slowly northward to you

While north of them all at the farthest ends stands one bright-bosomed aglance

With fire as it guards the wild north cloud-coasts red-fire seas running through

The rocks where ravens flying to windward melt as a well-shot lance.

You should be out by the orchard where violets secretly darken the earth

Or there in the woods of the twilight with northern wind-flowers shaken astir.

Think of me here in the library trying and trying a song that is worth

Tears and swords to my heart arrows no armour will turn or deter.

You tell me the lambs have come they lie like daisies white in the grass

Of the dark-green hills; new calves in shed; peewits turn after the plough—

It is well for you. For me the navvies work in the road where I pass

And I want to smite in anger the barren rock of each waterless brow.

Like the sough of a wind that is caught up high in the mesh of the budding trees

A sudden car goes sweeping past and I strain my soul to hear

The voice of the furtive triumphant engine as it rushes past like a breeze

To hear on its mocking triumphance unwitting the after-echo of fear.