The Temporary The All

CHANGE and chancefulness in my flowering youthtime,
     Set me sun by sun near to one unchosen;
     Wrought us fellowly, and despite divergence,
        Friends interblent us.

     "Cherish him can I while the true one forthcome--
     Come the rich fulfiller of my prevision;
     Life is roomy yet, and the odds unbounded."
        So self-communed I.

     Thwart my wistful way did a damsel saunter,
     Fair not fairest, good not best of her feather;
     "Maiden meet," held I, "till arise my forefelt
        Wonder of women."

     Long a visioned hermitage deep desiring,
     Tenements uncouth I was fain to house in;
     "Let such lodging be for a breath-while," thought I,
        "Soon a more seemly.

     "Then, high handiwork will I make my life-deed,
     Truth and Light outshow; but the ripe time pending,
     Intermissive aim at the thing sufficeth."
        Thus I ... But lo, me!

     Mistress, friend, place, aims to be bettered straightway,
     Bettered not has Fate or my hand's achieving;
     Sole the showance those of my onward earth-track--
        Never transcended!