87. Sung On A By-way

George William Russell

WHAT of all the will to do?
It has vanished long ago,
For a dream-shaft pierced it through
From the Unknown Archer’s bow.


What of all the soul to think?
Some one offered it a cup
Filled with a diviner drink,
And the flame has burned it up.


What of all the hope to climb?
Only in the self we grope
To the misty end of time:
Truth has put an end to hope.


What of all the heart to love?
Sadder than for will or soul,
No light lured it on above;
Love has found itself the whole.

Next 10 Poems

• George William Russell : 88. Janus
• George William Russell : 89. The Grey Eros
• George William Russell : 9. Night
• George William Russell : 90. Duality
• George William Russell : 91. Truth
• George William Russell : 92. Fantasy
• George William Russell : 93. The Mountaineer
• George William Russell : 94. The Golden Age
• George William Russell : 95. The Master Singer
• George William Russell : 96. Inheritance

Previous 10 Poems

• George William Russell : 86. In The Womb
• George William Russell : 85. The Veils Of Maya
• George William Russell : 84. The Memory Of Earth
• George William Russell : 83. Aphrodite
• George William Russell : 82. The Winds Of Angus
• George William Russell : 81. Creation
• George William Russell : 80. The Silence Of Love
• George William Russell : 8. Dusk
• George William Russell : 79. The Weaver Of Souls
• George William Russell : 78. A Summer Night