Page:Poems Rossetti.djvu/379

Wherefore greatest? Wherefore least?
Hearts that starve and hearts that feast?
    You and I?
Stammering Oracles have ceased,
 And the whole earth stands at "why?"

Underneath all things that be
Lies an unsolved mystery;
    Over all
Spreads a veil impenetrably,
 Spreads a dense unlifted pall.

Mystery of mysteries:
This creation hears and sees
    High and low—
Vanity of vanities:
 This we test and this we know.

Maiden May, the days of flowering
Nurse you now in sweet embowering,
    Sunny days;
Bright with rainbows all the showering,
 Bright with blossoms all the ways.

Close the inlet of your bower,
Close it close with thorn and flower,
    Maiden May;
Lengthen out the shortening hour,—
 Morrows are not as to-day.