Imogen

(A Lady of Tender Age)     Ladies, where were your bright eyes glancing,         Where were they glancing yester-night?     Saw ye Imogen dancing, dancing,         Imogen dancing all in white?         Laughed she not with a pure delight,         Laughed she not with a joy serene,     Stepped she not with a grace entrancing,         Slenderly girt in silken sheen?     All through the night from dusk to daytime         Under her feet the hours were swift,     Under her feet the hours of play-time         Rose and fell with a rhythmic lift:         Music set her adrift, adrift,         Music eddying towards the day     Swept her along as brooks in May-time         Carry the freshly falling May.     Ladies, life is a changing measure,         Youth is a lilt that endeth soon;     Pluck ye never so fast at pleasure         Twilight follows the longest noon.         Nay, but here is a lasting boon,         Life for hearts that are old and chill,     Youth undying for hearts that treasure         Imogen dancing, dancing still.