Читать книгу Afterwhiles - James Whitcomb Riley - Страница 4

Table of Contents

Where are they—the Afterwhiles—

Luring us the lengthening miles

Of our lives? Where is the dawn

With the dew across the lawn

Stroked with eager feet the far

Way the hills and valleys are?

Were the sun that smites the frown

Of the eastward-gazer down?

Where the rifted wreaths of mist

O'er us, tinged with amethyst,

Round the mountain's steep defiles?

Where are the afterwhiles?

Afterwhile—and we will go

Thither, yon, and too and fro—

From the stifling city streets

To the country's cool retreats—

From the riot to the rest

Were hearts beat the placidest:

Afterwhile, and we will fall

Under breezy trees, and loll

In the shade, with thirsty sight

Drinking deep the blue delight

Of the skies that will beguile

Us as children—afterwhile.

Afterwhile—and one intends

To be gentler to his friends—,

To walk with them, in the hush

Of still evenings, o'er the plush

Of home-leading fields, and stand

Long at parting, hand in hand:

One, in time, will joy to take

New resolves for some one's sake,

And wear then the look that lies

Clear and pure in other eyes—

We will soothe and reconcile

His own conscience—afterwhile.

Afterwhile—we have in view

A far scene to journey to—,

Where the old home is, and where

The old mother waits us there,

Peering, as the time grows late,

Down the old path to the gate—.

How we'll click the latch that locks

In the pinks and hollyhocks,

And leap up the path once more

Where she waits us at the door—!

How we'll greet the dear old smile,

And the warm tears—afterwhile!

Ah, the endless afterwhiles—!

Leagues on leagues, and miles on miles,

In distance far withdrawn,

Stretching on, and on, and on,

Till the fancy is footsore

And faints in the dust before

The last milestone's granite face,

Hacked with: Here Beginneth Space.

O far glimmering worlds and wings,

Mystic smiles and beckonings,

Lead us through the shadowy aisles

Out into the afterwhiles.