Rosemary and Pansies/Afterwards (Some day the sun will rise, but I shall rise)

For works with similar titles, see Afterwards.
4229021Rosemary and Pansies — AfterwardsBertram Dobell

AFTERWARDS

Some day the sun will rise, but I shall rise
No more its warmth and radiance to enjoy,
But lie, a cold unconscious sacrifice
To treacherous time's fierce passion to destroy:
And shall the world when I am gone proceed
All heedlessly on its accustomed way?
Forlorn of me shall it not feel some need,
Some presage dim of failure and decay?

Perish such mean and childish thoughts as these!
The taper's use is o'er when sinks its light:
Gladly shall fall my worn-out energies
Into the bosom of the infinite:
Enough for me that for a time I've been
An actor on so vast and strange a scene!