40 
A BALLAD OF CHOOSING 
 
 
 
 
A BALLAD OF CHOOSING 
 
Love brought a garland to my feet to-day 
Offering to crown my head withal, and said : 
“ The year is young, it is the time of May, 
Autumn is distant, and the winter, dead ” 
And would therewith my brows have garlanded 
But that I asked him “ Is not this a fire 
To burn the scorched brain through my maddened head ? 
Thou has a guerdon, is it not for hire ? ” 
 
Fame brought a golden crown, bejewelled o’er 
With precious rubies beyond price, and cried 
“ The world is young, thy name shall evermore 
Ring in men’s ears, stately and glorified ” 
But I, with shuddering lips, to him replied 
“ Fame is the amaranth that fools desire 
My soul’s price is beyond thy jewels’ pride 
Thou has a guerdon, is it not for hire ? ” 
 
“ Wealth brought to me a purse, whose glancing gold 
Mocked the sun’s rays, grown dull as iron rust,