A STUDY FROM MEMORY

By Algernon Charles Swinburne

If that be yet a living soul which here

Seemed brighter for the growth of numbered springs

And clothed by Time and Pain with goodlier things

Each year it saw fulfilled a fresh fleet year,

Death can have changed not aught that made it dear;

Half humorous goodness, grave-eyed mirth on wings

Bright-balanced, blither-voiced than quiring strings;

Most radiant patience, crowned with conquering cheer;

A spirit inviolable that smiled and sang

By might of nature and heroic need

More sweet and strong than loftiest dream or deed;

A song that shone, a light whence music rang

High as the sunniest heights of kindliest thought;

All these must be, or all she was be nought.