308 AUSTIN
The doomed ship strives its utmost with mid-ocean's
mastery, And the tall masts whip the cordage, while the
welter whirls and leaps, And they rise and reel and waver, and sink amid
the deeps :
So before the little-hearted in King Atli's murder-hall Did the glorious sons of Giuki 'neath the shielded
onrush fall : Sore wounded, bound and helpless, but living yet,
they lie Till the afternoon and the even in the first of night
shall die.
William Morris.
CXIV
IS LIFE WORTH LIVING
Is life worth living? Yes, so long
As Spring revives the year, And hails us with the cuckoo's song,
To show that she is here; So long as May of April takes,
In smiles and tears, farewell, And windflowers dapple all the brakes,
And primroses the dell; While children in the woodlands yet
Adorn their little laps With ladysmock and violet,
And daisy-chain their caps; While over orchard daffodils
Cloud-shadows float and fleet,
�� �