The wisdom of the world said unto me: <br />'_Go forth and run, the race is to the brave; <br />Perchance some honour tarrieth for thee!_' <br />'As tarrieth,' I said, 'for sure, the grave.' <br />For I had pondered on a rune of roses, <br />Which to her votaries the moon discloses. <br /> <br />The wisdom of the world said: '_There are bays: <br />Go forth and run, for victory is good, <br />After the stress of the laborious days._' <br />'Yet,' said I, 'shall I be the worms' sweet food,' <br />As I went musing on a rune of roses, <br />Which in her hour, the pale, soft moon discloses. <br /> <br />Then said my voices: '_Wherefore strive or run, <br />On dusty highways ever, a vain race? <br />The long night cometh, starless, void of sun, <br />What light shall serve thee like her golden face?_' <br />For I had pondered on a rune of roses, <br />And knew some secrets which the moon discloses. <br /> <br />'Yea,' said I, 'for her eyes are pure and sweet <br />As lilies, and the fragrance of her hair <br />Is many laurels; and it is not meet <br />To run for shadows when the prize is here'; <br />And I went reading in that rune of roses <br />Which to her votaries the moon discloses.<br /><br />Ernest Christopher Dowson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/sapientia-lunae/
