Poems by Victor Hugo - HTML preview

THEN, MOST, I SMILE.

("Il est un peu tard.")
     {Bk. III. xxx., Oct. 30, 1854.}

Late it is to look so proud,
       Daisy queen! come is the gloom
     Of the winter-burdened cloud!—
       "But, in winter, most I bloom!"

     Star of even! sunk the sun!
       Lost for e'er the ruddy line;
     And the earth is veiled in dun,—
       "Nay, in darkness, best I shine!"

     O, my soul! art 'bove alarm,
       Quaffing thus the cup of gall—
     Canst thou face the grave with calm?—
       "Yes, the Christians smile at all."