A Poem Seen

I saw a poem at the faire: a maid
With flowing hair unbound at end of day --
Whose day'd begun in modesty array'd.
I saw a bud unfold, and merry May
Adorn October's harvest like a rose;
I saw the ancient Muse in all her youth
And beauty, saw her grace that thus bestows
Her inspiration on the Bard. Forsooth --
In every phase of life is beauty found,
For life and art belong to every time.
Yet hymn we loudest that which doth abound
In change, and praise in poesy and rhyme
When seed doth burst to life, from bud to bloom
Doth move, or soul with wisdom
Dance twixt womb and tomb.