Unlearning

When I was young my heart was old, My heart was rich and very wise : Now all its wisdom has been told And all its wealth is fairy gold And all its joy futilities.

My heart would say, when I was young, "It would be well to grieve no more. The griefs you sing had all been sung Before you learned your mother-tongue, And all your tears been shed before."

When I was young my heart would say: "What childish things are these you seek? The piper's price is large to pay And there will come a reckoning day!" In this wise way my heart would speak.

But now it cries continually. It says : "None ever felt as you ! Cast prudence to the winds, and see How happy I can make you be." And some of what it says is true.