AFTER READING PSALMS

Simple was I and was young;

Kept no gallant tryst, I;

Even from good words held my tongue,

Quoniam Tu fecisti!

Through my youth I stirred me not,

High adventure missed I,

Left the shining shrines unsought;

Yet — me deduxisti!

At my start by Helicon

Love-lore little wist I,

Worldly less; but footed on;

Why? Me suscepisti!

When I failed at fervid rhymes,

“Shall,” I said, “persist I?”

“Dies” ( I would add at times )

“Meos posuisti!”

So I have fared through many suns;

Sadly little grist I

Bring my mill, or any one's,

Domine, Tu scisti!

And at dead of night I call:

“Though to prophets list I,

Which hath understood at all?

Yea: Quem elegisti?”