XXVI

Stars in heaven are many,

Suns in heaven but one:

Nor for man may any

Star supplant the sun.

Many a child as joyous

As our far-off king

Meets as though to annoy us

In the paths of spring.

Sure as spring gives warning,

All things dance in tune:

Sun on Easter morning,

Cloud and windy moon,

Stars between the tossing

Boughs of tuneful trees,

Sails of ships recrossing

Leagues of dancing seas;

Best, in all this playtime,

Best of all in tune,

Girls more glad than Maytime,

Boys more bright than June;

Mixed with all those dances,

Far through field and street

Sing their silent glances,

Ring their radiant feet.

Flowers wherewith May crowned us

Fall ere June be crowned:

Children blossom round us

All the whole year round.

Is the garland worthless

For one rose the less,

And the feast made mirthless?

Love, at least, says yes.

Strange it were, with many

Stars enkindling air,

Should but one find any

Welcome: strange it were,

Had one star alone won

Praise for light from far:

Nay, love needs his own one

Bright particular star.

Hope and recollection

Only lead him right

In its bright reflection

And collateral light.

Find as yet we may not

Comfort in its sphere:

Yet these days will weigh not

When it warms us here;

When full-orbed it rises,

Now divined afar:

None in all the skies is

Half so good a star;

None that seers importune

Till a sign be won:

Star of our good fortune,

Rise and reign, our sun!