Slow and reluctant was the long descent, <br />With many farewell pious looks behind, <br />And dumb misgivings where the path might wind, <br />And questionings of nature, as I went. <br />The greener branches that above me bent, <br />The broadening valleys, quieted by mind, <br />To the fair reasons of the Spring inclined <br />And to the Summer's tender argument. <br />But sometimes, as revolving night descended, <br />And in my childish heart the new song ended, <br />I lay down, full of longing, on the steep; <br />And, haunting still the lonely way I wended, <br />Into my dreams the ancient sorrow blended, <br />And with these holy echoes charmed my sleep.<br /><br />George Santayana<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/slow-and-reluctant-was-the-long-descent/
