Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)

DAUGHTERS of Time, the hypocritic Days,

Muffled and dumb like barefoot dervishes

And marching single in an endless file,

Bring diadems and faggots in their hands.

To each they offer gifts after his will—

Bread, kingdoms, stars, and sky that holds them all.

I, in my pleachèd garden, watch’d the pomp,

Forgot my morning wishes, hastily

Took a few herbs and apples, and the Day

Turn’d and departed silent. I, too late,

Under her solemn fillet saw the scorn.