All influences were in vain, The sun dripped gold among the trees, The fresh breeze blew, the woody plain Ruffled and whispered in the breeze.
All day the sea was on one hand, The long beach shone with sun and wet— We walked in trio on the sand, My shadow, I and my regret!
Eve came. I clambered to my bed, Regret lay restless by my side, The thought-wheels galloped in my head All night into the morning tide.
The thought-wheels span so madly quick, So many thousand times an hour, Thought after thought took life, as thick As bats in some old belfry tower.
My mind was in émeute! each thought Usurped its individual right. In vain, I temporised—I sought In vain to hold a plebiscite!
Thoughts jostled thoughts—By hill and glade They scattered far and wide like sheep, I stretched my arms—I cried—I prayed— They heard not—I began to weep.
My head grew giddy-weak—I tried To drown my reason. All in vain. I lay upon my face and cried Most bitterly to God again.
God put a thought into my hand, God gave me a resolve, an aim. I blew it trumpet-wise—the band Of scattered fancies heard and came.
They heard the bugle tones I blew— The wandering thoughts came dropping in; They took their ranks in silence due— One hour, and would the march begin?
The march began; and once begun The serious purpose, true design Has held my being knit in one— My being kept the thoughts in line.