RODIN

VIII

LA VIELLE HEAULMIÈRE

Published in the Weekly Critical Review

Paris, France

9 July 1903

(page 18)

Age and despair, poverty and distress

Bend down the head that once was blithe and fair.

Embattled toward the ancient armouress

Age and despair!

Where is the force of youth? The beauty where?

What two-edged memory of some lost caress

Lurks in the sorrowful pose and lingers there?

O melancholy mother! Sorceress,

No more enchantress! What the harvest rare

Sprung from the seed of youth and happiness?

Age and despair.