"A Psalm of Life" is an uplifting poem that encourages the reader to embrace life and make the most of every moment. The speaker urges the reader to "act, act in the living Present!" and to "let the dead Past bury its dead." The poem is full of positive energy and optimism, and it celebrates the power of human potential.
"Auspex", on the other hand, is a much more somber and pessimistic poem. The speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. He says, "In this uncertain light from fading sun / I stand an Auspex by another's grave — / Not of my choosing. No." The poem is full of regret and sorrow, and it offers little hope for the future.
In summary, "A Psalm of Life" is a celebration of life, while "Auspex" is a meditation on death. The two poems offer very different perspectives on the human experience, and they leave the reader with very different feelings.