Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869–1935). Collected Poems. 1921.
II. The Children of the Night9. Villanelle of Change
S
The yellow years have gathered fast:
Long centuries have come and gone.
A phantom fury of the past,
Since Persia fell at Marathon;
Trembled and swayed with rapture vast
(Long centuries have come and gone),
Shakes to a ghostly battle-blast,
Since Persia fell at Marathon.
The glory of Greek shame was cast:
Long centuries have come and gone,
The first has fallen to the last:—
Since Persia fell at Marathon,
Long centuries have come and gone.