Fish in the Unruffled Lakes

• 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