Part 10 (1/2)

At last to calm incandescence, Burned clean by remorseless hate, Now, at the day's renascence We approach the gate.

Now, from the darkened s.p.a.ces Of fear, and of frightened faces, Death, in our awful embraces Approached and pa.s.sed by;

We near the flame-burnt porches Where the brands of the angels, like torches Whirl,--in these perilous marches Pausing to sigh;

We look back on the withering roses, The stars, in their sun-dimmed closes, Where 'twas given us to repose us Sure on our sanct.i.ty;

Beautiful, candid lovers, Burnt out of our earthy covers, We might have nestled like plovers In the fields of eternity.

There, sure in sinless being, All-seen, and then all-seeing, In us life unto death agreeing, We might have lain.

But we storm the angel-guarded Gates of the long-discarded, Garden, which G.o.d has h.o.a.rded Against our pain.

The Lord of Hosts, and the Devil Are left on Eternity's level Field, and as victors we travel To Eden home.

Back beyond good and evil Return we. Eve dishevel Your hair for the bliss-drenched revel On our primal loam.

_SPRING MORNING_

AH, through the open door Is there an almond tree Aflame with blossom!

--Let us fight no more.

Among the pink and blue Of the sky and the almond flowers A sparrow flutters.

--We have come through,

It is really spring!--See, When he thinks himself alone How he bullies the flowers.

--Ah, you and me

How happy we'll be!--See him He clouts the tufts of flowers In his impudence.

--But, did you dream

It would be so bitter? Never mind It is finished, the spring is here.

And we're going to be summer-happy And summer-kind.

We have died, we have slain and been slain, We are not our old selves any more.

I feel new and eager To start again.

It is gorgeous to live and forget.

And to feel quite new.

See the bird in the flowers?--he's making A rare to-do!

He thinks the whole blue sky Is much less than the bit of blue egg He's got in his nest--we'll be happy You and I, I and you.

With nothing to fight any more-- In each other, at least.

See, how gorgeous the world is Outside the door!

SAN GAUDENZIO