I lived with Esther, not for many days, br If days be counted by the fall of night br And the sun's rising, yet through years of praise, br If truth be timepiece of joys infinite. br And what a life it was! No vain sweet dream br Of love in idleness which all men know, br But a full drama fashioned on the theme br Of strength victorious over death and woe. br Here was no faltering. Ours the triumph was br Of that strong logic which beholds each day br As a new world to conquer, and the cause br Itself complete of a more glorious fray. br To--day our cycle was. In it sublime br We sat enthroned as on the neck of Time.