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THE FIVE NATIONS
As flashed each yearning anchor
Through mellow seas afire,
So swift our careless captains
Rowed each to his desire!
Where lay our loosened harness?
Where turned our naked feet?
Whose tavern 'mid the palm-trees?
What quenchings of what heat?
Oh fountain in the desert!
Oh cistern in the waste!
Oh bread we ate in secret!
Oh cup we spilled in haste!
The youth new-taught of longing,
The widow curbed and wan—
The goodwife proud at season,
And the maid aware of man;
All souls unslaked, consuming,
Defrauded in delays,
Desire not more than quittance
Than I those forfeit days!
