LOOK NOT TO THE WEST

Look not to the west where the sun is dying

On fields of darkening clouds!

Look not to the west where the wild birds nest

And the winds are hieing

To sweep away sleep from the forest,

And tatter the shrouds of sable silence

Lit by the fire-fly's morris-dance.

Look not to the west —

‘ Tis best for the heart to hear not the chants

Of Evening over day's death!

Look not to the west where the sun is dying —

The sun that rose with song!

Look not to the west where the closèd quest

Of thy soul seems lying;

Where every sorrow that ever

Was wed with wrong in human breast,

From the sea of its radiance never fades!

Look not to the west —

‘ Tis best for the heart to see not the shades

That rise — the wrecks of the Past!