White Stains

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,