A LAST WORD - Ernest Dowson Poems

 
 

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A LAST WORD

Let us go hence: the night is now at hand;
     The day is overworn, the birds all flown;
     And we have reaped the crops the gods have sown;
Despair and death; deep darkness o'er the land,
Broods like an owl; we cannot understand
     Laughter or tears, for we have only known
     Surpassing vanity: vain things alone
Have driven our perverse and aimless band.

Let us go hence, somewhither strange and cold,
     To Hollow Lands where just men and unjust
Find end of labour, where's rest for the old,
     Freedom to all from love and fear and lust.
Twine our torn hands! O pray the earth enfold
     Our life-sick hearts and turn them into dust.