Classic Poem

Thus spoke Chidher, the ever young:
“I pass'd a proud city near,
A man pluck'd fruit the green trees among,
I asked, ‘How long is the city here?’
Plucking the fruit he answered me,
‘This proud city that here you see,
Has been ever here, and will ever be!’
And when ages had passed away,
Came I the very same way.

“Not a trace of that city could there be found,
But a shepherd played on his reed alone;
His flocks fed free on the mossy ground;
I asked, ‘How long is the city gone?’
Playing his reed, he answered me,
“This pasture ground that here you see
Has been ever here, and will ever be!”
And when ages had passed away
Came I the very same way.

“There found I a sea—through the billows' roar
Came a fisherman, rowing near;
As he rested a moment upon his oar,
I asked, ‘How long is this wild sea here?’
With a laugh and a shrug he answered me,
‘Since the billows have foamed in their angry glee
Have been fishermen here, and will ever be!’
And when ages had passed away,
Came I the very same way.

“There found I a forest with brier-grown tracks,
Where bounded the startled deer;
One fell'd the tall trees with his broad bright axe;
I asked, ‘How old is the greenwood here?’
‘This wood has been always here,’ said he,
‘And the trees have been ever a home to me;
And as they have been so they ever will be;’
And when ages had passed away
Came I the very same way.

“There found I a city of pomp and guilt,
Where the people with loud voice speed,
I asked, ‘Since when is the city built?
And where is the wood, and sea, and reed?’
With the din they scarcely hearken to me,
‘It has ever been such as now you see,
And as it has been so it ever will be!’
And when ages had passed away
Will I pass by the very same way.”