Tower of Ivory/A Song

by Archibald MacLeish

A SONG

Youth is old before his time,
Hélas! Heighho!
Watcheth where the white stars climb,
Readeth windy wheat to rhyme,
Danceth to no tune, no chime,
Heighho!

Youth is drear before his days,
Hélas! Heighho!
Weepeth where the cypress sways,
Chanteth Grief a doleful praise,
Danceth to no roundelays,
Heighho!

Youth is done with lovely Life,
Hélas! Heighho!
Putteth Lady Hope to knife,
Taketh Mistress Worm to wife,
Hath no joyous Hippogrife,
Hélas!
Danceth to no merry fife,
Heighho!