with the same heart, i said, i’ll answer thee

as those, when thou shalt call me by my name—

lo, the vain promise! is the same, the same,

perplexed and ruffled by life’s strategy?

when called before, i told how hastily

i dropped my flowers or brake off from a game.

to run and answer with the smile that came

at play last moment, and went on with me

through my obedience. when i answer now,

i drop a grave thought, break from solitude;

yet still my heart goes to thee—ponder how—

not as to a single good, but all my good!

lay thy hand on it, best one, and allow

that no child’s foot could run fast as this blood.