Imogen

(A Lady of Tender Age)

Ladies, where were your bright eyes glancing,

  Where were they glancing yester-night?

Saw ye Imogen dancing, dancing,

  Imogen dancing all in white?

  Laughed she not with a pure delight,

  Laughed she not with a joy serene,

Stepped she not with a grace entrancing,

  Slenderly girt in silken sheen?

All through the night from dusk to daytime

  Under her feet the hours were swift,

Under her feet the hours of play-time

  Rose and fell with a rhythmic lift:

  Music set her adrift, adrift,

  Music eddying towards the day

Swept her along as brooks in May-time

  Carry the freshly falling May.

Ladies, life is a changing measure,

  Youth is a lilt that endeth soon;

Pluck ye never so fast at pleasure

  Twilight follows the longest noon.

  Nay, but here is a lasting boon,

  Life for hearts that are old and chill,

Youth undying for hearts that treasure

  Imogen dancing, dancing still.