| George William (“A. E.”) Russell (1867–1935). Collected Poems by A.E. 1913. |
| |
| 49. The Spirit of the Gay |
| |
| |
| WITH the glamour of the Gay | |
| How you made our hearts to flame; | |
| Gave each life some airy aim: | |
| Ever round you seemed to play | |
| Sunlight from some inner day. | 5 |
| |
| Dazzling as with red and gold; | |
| Rich with beauty, love and youth— | |
| How were we to know the truth, | |
| That if all the tale were told | |
| Life for you was sad and cold? | 10 |
| |
| For you found if we would wake | |
| And the joy make young each heart, | |
| You who told must stand apart: | |
| And you bore it for our sake, | |
| Though your heart was nigh to break. | 15 |
| |
| So your life was like a sphere’s: | |
| One side, all aglow, meets day, | |
| And the other turned away, | |
| Icy-strange and cold appears, | |
| Overhung with starry tears. | 20 |
| |
|
|
|
