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Fish in the Unruffled Lakes
WH Auden
- Fish in the unruffled lakes
- Their swarming colours wear,
- Swans in the winter air
- A white perfection have,
- And the great lion walks
- Through his innocent grove;
- Lion, fish and swan
- Act, and are gone
- Upon Time’s toppling wave.
- We, till shadowed days are done,
- We must weep and sing
- Duty’s conscious wrong,
- The Devil in the clock,
- The goodness carefully worn
- For atonement or for luck;
- We must lose our loves,
- On each beast and bird that moves
- Turn an envious look.
- Sighs for folly done and said
- Twist our narrow days,
- But I must bless, I must praise
- That you, my swan, who have
- All gifts that to the swan
- Impulsive Nature gave,
- The majesty and pride,
- Last night should add
- Your voluntary love.
WH Auden
1936