THE ABSINTHE DRINKER.

By Arthur Symons

GENTLY I wave the visible world away.

Far off, I hear a roar, afar yet near,

Far off and strange, a voice is in my ear,

And is the voice my own? the words I say

Fall strangely, like a dream, across the day;

And the dim sunshine is a dream. How clear,

New as the world to lovers’ eyes, appear

The men and women passing on their way!

The world is very fair. The hours are all

Linked in a dance of mere forgetfulness.

I am at peace with God and man. O glide,

Sands of the hour-glass that I count not, fall

Serenely: scarce I feel your soft caress.

Rocked on this dreamy and indifferent tide.