C.D. Warner, et al., comp.
The Library of the World’s Best Literature. An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.

William James Linton (1812–1897)

TWO wingèd genii in the air

I greeted as they passed me by:

The one a bow and quiver bare,

The other shouted joyously.

Both I besought to stay their speed,

But never Love nor Youth had heed

Of my wild cry.

As swift and careless as the wind,

Youth fled, nor ever once looked back;

A moment Love was left behind,

But followed soon his fellow’s track.

Yet, loitering at my heart, he bent

His bow, then smiled with changed intent;

The string was slack.