Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Time, Real and Imaginary

An Allegory

ON the wide level of a mountain's head
(I knew not where, but 'twas some faery place),
Their pinions, ostrich-like, for sails outspread,
Two lovely children run an endless race,
            A sister and a brother!
            This far outstripp'd the other;
    Yet ever runs she with reverted face,
    And looks and listens for the boy behind:
            For he, alas! is blind!
O'er rough and smooth with even step he pass'd,
And knows not whether he be first or last.