XIV
He put the belt around my life,—I heard the buckle snap,And turned away, imperial,My lifetime folding upDeliberate, as a duke would doA kingdom’s title-deed,—Henceforth a dedicated sort,A member of the cloud.
Yet not too far to come at call,And do the little toilsThat make the circuit of the rest,And deal occasional smilesTo lives that stoop to notice mineAnd kindly ask it in,—Whose invitation, knew you notFor whom I must decline?