170
THE STATUE AND THE BUST.
"In the very square I cross so oft!
That men may admire, when future suns
Shall touch the eyes to a purpose soft,
That men may admire, when future suns
Shall touch the eyes to a purpose soft,
"While the mouth and the brow are brave in bronze—
Admire and say, 'When he was alive,
How he would take his pleasure once!'
Admire and say, 'When he was alive,
How he would take his pleasure once!'
"And it shall go hard but I contrive
To listen meanwhile and laugh in my tomb
At indolence which aspires to strive."
So! while these wait the trump of doom,
How do their spirits pass, I wonder,
Nights and days in the narrow room?
To listen meanwhile and laugh in my tomb
At indolence which aspires to strive."
So! while these wait the trump of doom,
How do their spirits pass, I wonder,
Nights and days in the narrow room?
Still, I suppose, they sit and ponder
What a gift life was, ages ago,
Six steps out of the chapel yonder.
What a gift life was, ages ago,
Six steps out of the chapel yonder.
