Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge)/Time, Real and Imaginary

Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge)
by Samuel Taylor Coleridge
Time, Real and Imaginary: An Allegory
3180678Sibylline Leaves (Coleridge) — Time, Real and Imaginary: An AllegorySamuel Taylor Coleridge

TIME,

REAL AND IMAGINARY,

An Allegory.

On the wide level of a mountain's head,
(I knew not where, but 'twas some faery place)
Their pinions, ostrich-like for sails outspread,
Two lovely children run an endless race,
A sister and a brother!
This far outstript the other;
Yet ever runs she with reverted face,
And looks and listens for the boy behind:
For he, alas! is blind!
O'er rough and smooth, with even step he pass'd,
And knows not whether he be first or last.