The king can drink the best of wine So can I; And has enough when he would dine So have I; And can not order rain or shine Nor can I. Then wheres the differencelet me see Betwixt my lord the king and me?
I slept, and dreamed that life was Beauty; I woke, and found that life was Duty.1 Was thy dream then a shadowy lie? Toil on, poor heart, unceasingly; And thou shalt find thy dream to be A truth and noonday light to thee.
Im growing fonder of my staff; Im growing dimmer in the eyes; Im growing fainter in my laugh; Im growing deeper in my sighs; Im growing careless of my dress; Im growing frugal of my gold; Im growing wise; Im growingyes, Im growing old!
Im growin old.
Note 1. William Maccall (c. 1830): Straight is the line of Duty, Curved is the line of Beauty, Follow the straight line, thou hall see The curved line ever follow thee. [back]