Ballads (Masefield, 1903)/The Seekers
The Seekers
Friends and loves we have none, nor wealth, nor blessed abode,
But the hope, the burning hope, and the road, the lonely road.
But the hope, the burning hope, and the road, the lonely road.
Not for us are content, and quiet, and peace of mind,
For we go seeking cities that we shall never find.
For we go seeking cities that we shall never find.
There is no solace on earth for us—for such as we—
Who search for the hidden beauty that eyes may never see.
Who search for the hidden beauty that eyes may never see.
Only the road and the dawn, the sun, the wind, and the rain,
And the watch-fire under stars, and sleep, and the road again.
And the watch-fire under stars, and sleep, and the road again.
We seek the City of God, and the haunt where beauty dwells,
And we find the noisy mart and the sound of burial bells.
And we find the noisy mart and the sound of burial bells.
Never the golden city, where radiant people meet,
But the dolorous town where mourners are going about the street.
But the dolorous town where mourners are going about the street.
We travel the dusty road till the light of the day is dim,
And sunset shows us spires away on the world's rim.
And sunset shows us spires away on the world's rim.
We travel from dawn to dusk, till the day is past and by,
Seeking the Holy City beyond the rim of the sky.
Seeking the Holy City beyond the rim of the sky.
Friends and loves we have none, nor wealth nor blest abode,
But the hope, the burning hope, and the road, the lonely road.
But the hope, the burning hope, and the road, the lonely road.