Vale and Highway

IN a shady dell a Shepherd sate,
And by his side was the fairest mate!
The hearts of both the youth and maiden
With love were laden and overladen.

And, as they spake with tongue and eye,
A weary wandering man rode by;
A swarthy wayfarer, worn with travel,
Rode wearily over the burning gravel.

"Down hither, and rest thee, thou Weary One!
Why ride at noon in the scorching sun?
Rest here in this dell, so cool and darkling
That even the rivulets run unsparkling.

"And I and the maiden thou seest with me
Will gather the palest flowers for thee,
And weave them into as pale a garland
As wreathes the brow of a fay from Star-land."

So spake the Shepherd, all cool in the shade,
And thus the Wanderer answer made:
"Though the way be long and the noon be burning,
I ride unresting and unreturning:

"For I was false to my vows, and sold
The early love of my heart for gold;
So dare I seek Rest and Happiness never,
But only Gold for ever and ever!

"No flowers for me, until Pity's tears
Bedew the few that in after-years
May droop where the winds shall be nightly telling
How low I lie in my last dark dwelling!"