The Sad Shepherd

There was a man whom Sorrow named his friend，

    And he， of his high comrade Sorrow dreaming，

    Went walking with slow steps along the gleaming

    And humming sands， where windy surges wend：

    And he called loudly to the stars to bend

    From their pale thrones and comfort him， but they

    Among themselves laugh on and sing alway：

    And then the man whom Sorrow named his friend

    Cried out， Dim sea， hear my most piteous story！

    The sea swept on and cried her old cry still，

    Rolling along in dreams from hill to hill.

    He fled the persecution¹ of her glory

    And， in a far-off， gentle valley stopping，

    Cried all his story to the dewdrops glistening².

    But naught³ they heard， for they are always listening，

    The dewdrops， for the sound of their own dropping.

    And then the man whom Sorrow named his friend

    Sought once again the shore， and found a shell，

    And thought， I will my heavy story tell

    Till my own words， re-echoing， shall send

    Their sadness through a hollow， pearly heart；

    And my own tale again for me shall sing，

    And my own whispering words be comforting，

    And lo！ my ancient burden may depart.

    Then he sang softly nigh the pearly rim⁴；

    But the sad dweller⁵ by the sea-ways lone⁶

    Changed all he sang to inarticulate moan

    Among her wildering whirls， forgetting him.