The Treasure-seeker

SICK at heart and lank in purse,
I dragged my snake-like days along;
Want is Man's reproach and curse,
And Gold is Bliss — thus ran my song.

So, to end my woes and pains,
A treasure-crock I went to roll up;
Struck the sharp steel in my veins,
And signed the bond that gave my soul up.

Magic circles then I drew,
And flaming hieroglyphics there;
Herbs and bones together threw,
And spake the incantation prayer.

Storms were blackening Midnight's face,
But I fulfilled each godless duty;
Standing by the marked-out place,
I sank my spade to dig the booty.

Twelve o'clock! Lo! from afar
Advancing swiftly through the darkling
Midnight mist I marked a star
Most luminously rare and sparkling.

Wonder overpowered my soul:
Then brightlier flashed the heavenly flood,
And, in his hand a glittering bowl,
A beauteous boy before me stood.

Mildly gleamed his eyes of light;
With richest wreaths his brows were crowned;
Haloed by the liquid bright
He stepped within the circle's bound.

Friendlily he bade me taste;
And then I thought, This child so fair,
Light-begirt and mildness-graced,
Hath surely scarce a daemon's air!

"Drink at LIFE'S upgushing wells!
Thus dost thou learn the manlier Science,
Scorn those paltry spectre-spells,
And bid thy nightmare cares defiance.

Spend no more thy spirits here;
But, noonday tasks and evening pleasures,
Weekdays labour, Sundays cheer,
Be these thy charm to conjure treasures!"