ONCE upon a time, br Little Golden-Head, br Steeples used to chime, br And their chiming said: br 'Peace is in the land — br Joy on every hand.' br Glowing youths and men br Rose and went their ways, br Some to hill and glen, br Some to shining bays. br And they left behind br Ills of heart and mind. br Oh, but it was sweet br Underneath the trees, br Bare of throat and feet, br Bathed in golden ease, br Two and two to lie br While the hours went by! br Sweet indeed it was br Thus to lie and laze, br Couched upon the grass br Through the shining days — br Sweet to breathe the air, br Free of toil and care! br On the beaches then, br Sporting with the sea, br Gathered brown-limbed men br Graced like statuary br Chiselled by some bold br Master hand of old. br All were guests of Joy; br All his sportive clan — br Here a shouting boy, br There a jesting man, br While the breakers hymned, br Braving them, stout-limbed. br Listen, Golden-Head! br Came a Wondrous One br Unto each, and said: br 'Look on me, my son! br Am I not above br All things else you love?' br Then that love began br Which is more than life — br More than love of man, br Love of maid or wife; br Love of queen or king, br Aught or anything.