THE TOWN DOWN THE RIVER
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Said the Watcher by the WayTo the young and the unladen,To the boy and to the maiden,“God be with you both to-day.First your song came ringing,Now you come, you two,--Knowing naught of what you do,Or of what your dreams are bringing. “Oh you children who go singingTo the Town down the River,Where the millions cringe and shiver,Tell me what you know to-day;Tell me how far you are going,Tell me how you find your way.O you children who go dreaming,Tell me what you dream to-day.” “He is old and we have heard him,”Said the boy then to the maiden;“He is old and heavy ladenWith a load we throw away.Care may come to find us,Age may lay us low;Still, we seek the light we know,And the dead we leave behind us. “Did he think that he would blind usInto such a small believingAs to live without achieving,When the lights have led so far?Let him watch or let him wither,--Shall he tell us where we are?We know best who go together,Downward, onward, and so far.”
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