Later Sonnets: In Memoriam W. M. and E. B. J.

MAD are we all, maids, men, young fools alike and old,
All we that wander blind and want the wit to dare.
Dark through the world we go, dazed sheep, across life's wold,
Edged from the flowers we loved by our herd's crook of care.
Life ? Have we lived it ? No. We were not as these were,
Intent, untiring souls who proved time till their death.
Nay we were sluggards, all, how crazed in our despair
Each day of their fame won here nobly witnesseth.
—What is life's wealth ? To do. Its loss ? To dream and wait.
Years vanish unfulfilled ; but work achieved lives on.
Not all Time's beauty died when these two fell asleep.
Dear Madeline, if we grieve our own less strenuous fate,
Heaven send us still this strength, this joy, now they are gone
At least like these to love, even though mad fools we weep.