The wellspring of thy feeling: hold thou, still,
The best and worst of all thy soul could brook,
And know thy heart as thou dost know thy will.
Soft! lest thy tongue's denial plague thy brain,
And bring to lowly dust its highest worth:
Be yet the greatest honour thou may'st gain
The honour of thy glory in thy birth.
Soft! yet admit the symbol of thy woe;
Relinquish not the hours of thy glee;
Mayhap thou'lt know, as surely thou must know,
The voice of all thy lords of poesy.
If still thy words be bounded by thy care,
Thy glass will show thee how thy beauties wear.
Happy birthday, Will!