The force that through the green fuse drives the flower
Drives my green age; that blasts the root of trees
It’s my destroyer
And I am dumb to tell the crooked rose
My youth is bent by the same wintry fever
The force that drives the water through the rocks
Drives my red blood; that dries the mouthing streams
Turns mine to wax
And I am dumb to mouth unto my veins
How at the mountains spring the same mouth sucks
The hand that whirls the water - in the pool
Stirs the quicksand; that ropes - the blowing wind
And I am dumb to tell - the hanging man
How oft my clay is made - the hangman's line
The lips of time leech to the fountains head
Love drips and gathers; but the fallen blood
Shall calm her sores
And I am dumb to tell a weathers wind
How time has ticked a heaven round the stars
And i am dumb to tell the lovers tomb
Now at my sheet goes the same crooked worm