A Jester Arrayed in Burning Gold

«Tho' much is taken, much abides; and tho'
We are not now that strength which in old day
Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are;
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.»
Share not the cup I have wantonly sipped:
the cradle that has been finally tipped.
In fool’s garb do I before thee appear,
with signs and sounds fit for stirring fear.
yet the mask hides what is truly between
my emerald eyes and the jewels that are seen.
First we eat, then we drink,
then we sing ourselves hoarse
to the ever brightening sun.
Tread ye not, now, where I have failed.
That spirit has flown, that ship has sailed.
My feet have failed to dance the steps,
and for bare bones I have loved and wept;
arrayed am I in burning, Trojan gold
for the sake of He who’s name I hold
First we eat, then we drink,
then we sing ourselves hoarse
to the ever brightening sun.