WHAT WOULDST THOU BE?

By John William Draper

What wouldst thou be? A cloud upon the air

Of summer skies afloat in sunlit charm,

And drinking azure bliss, all free from care,

And nestling near the sun's breast rich and warm?

What wouldst thou be? A comet, trailing eyes

Of thousand terrors through the throbbing night,

And filling earth with fear and vague surprise

To gaze upon thy bright, liquescent light?

What wouldst thou be? A sullen, stalwart cliff

Immovable upon a grassy plain,

Kissed by no clouds, and cold, and stark, and stiff,

Unmelted by the gentle tears of rain?

I ask nor to be gay, nor great nor strong —

Make me a thought incarnate in some song.