They told me once that Pan was dead, <br /> And so, in sooth, I thought him; <br />For vainly where the streamlets led <br /> Through flowery meads I sought him-- <br />Nor in his dewy pasture bed <br /> Nor in the grove I caught him. <br /> "Tell me," 'twas so my clamor ran-- <br /> "Tell me, oh, where is Pan?" <br /> <br />But, once, as on my pipe I played <br /> A requiem sad and tender, <br />Lo, thither came a shepherd-maid-- <br /> Full comely she and slender! <br />I were indeed a churlish blade <br /> With wailings to offend 'er-- <br /> For, surely, wooing's sweeter than <br /> A mourning over Pan! <br /> <br />So, presently, whiles I did scan <br /> That shepherd-maiden pretty, <br />And heard her accents, I began <br /> To pipe a cheerful ditty; <br />And so, betimes, forgot old Pan <br /> Whose death had waked my pity; <br /> So--so did Love undo the man <br /> Who sought and pined for Pan! <br /> <br />He was not dead! I found him there-- <br /> The Pan that I was after! <br />Caught in that maiden's tangling hair, <br /> Drunk with her song and laughter! <br />I doubt if there be otherwhere <br /> A merrier god or dafter-- <br /> Nay, nor a mortal kindlier than <br /> Is this same dear old Pan! <br /> <br />Beside me, as my pipe I play, <br /> My shepherdess is lying, <br />While here and there her lambkins stray <br /> As sunny hours go flying; <br />They look like me--those lambs--they say, <br /> And that I'm not denying! <br /> And for that sturdy, romping clan, <br /> All glory be to Pan! <br /> <br />Pan is not dead, O sweetheart mine! <br /> It is to hear his voices <br />In every note and every line <br /> Wherein the heart rejoices! <br />He liveth in that sacred shrine <br /> That Love's first, holiest choice is! <br /> So pipe, my pipe, while still you can, <br /> Sweet songs in praise of Pan!<br /><br />Eugene Field<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/pan-liveth/
