Witter Bynner - Pa**ing Near lyrics

I had not till today been sure, But now I know: Dead men and women come and go Under the pure Sequestering snow. And under the autumnal fern And carmine bush, Under the shadow of a thrush, They move and learn; And in the rush Of all the mountain-brooks that wake With upward fling To brush and break the loosening cling Of ice, they shake The air with Spring! I had not till today been sure But now I know: Dead youths and maidens come and go Below the lure And undertow Of cities, under every street Of empty stress, Or heart of an adulteress: Each loud retreat Of lovelessness. For only by the stir we make In pa**ing near Are we confused, and cannot hear The ways they take Certain and clear. Today I happened in a place Where all around Was silence; until, underground, I heard a pace, A happy sound. And people whom I there could see Tenderly smiled, While under a wood of silent, wild Antiquity Wandered a child, Leading his mother by the hand, Happy and slow, Teaching his mother where to go Under the snow. Not even now I understand - I only know.