Easter 1916

... I HAVE met them at close of day A Coming with vivid faces B From counter or desk among grey A Eighteenth-century houses. B I have passed with a nod of the head C Or polite meaningless words, D Or have lingered awhile and said C Polite meaningless words, D And thought before I had done A Of a mocking tale or a gibe B To please a companion A Around the fire at the club, B Being certain that they and I C But lived where motley is worn: D All changed, changed utterly: C A terrible beauty is born. D That woman's days were spent A In ignorant good-will, B Her nights in argument A Until her voice grew shrill. B What voice more sweet than hers C When, young and beautiful, D She rode to harriers? C This man had kept a school D And rode our winged horse; A This other his helper and friend B Was coming into his force; A He might have won fame in the end, B So sensitive his

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