Earth, if aught should check thy race,
Rushing through unfended space,
Headlong, stayless, thou wilt fall
Into yonder glowing ball!”
“Beggar of the universe,
Faithless as an empty purse!
Sent abroad to cool and tame,
Think’st I fear my native flame?”
“If thou never on thy track
Turn thee round and hie thee back,
Thou wilt wander evermore,
Outcast, cold—a comet hoar!”
“While I sweep my ring along
In an air of joyous song,
Thou art drifting, heart awry,
From the sun of liberty!”