ST. LAUNCE'S REVISITED

Slip back, Time!

Yet again I am nearing

Castle and keep, uprearing

Gray, as in my prime.

At the inn

Smiling close, why is it

Not as on my visit

When hope and I were twin?

Groom and jade

Whom I found here, moulder;

Strange the tavern-holder,

Strange the tap-maid.

Here I hired

Horse and man for bearing

Me on my wayfaring

To the door desired.

Evening gloomed

As I journeyed forward

To the faces shoreward,

Till their dwelling loomed.

If again

Towards the Atlantic sea there

I should speed, they'd be there

Surely now as then?...

Why waste thought,

When I know them vanished

Under earth; yea, banished

Ever into nought.