Part 7 (2/2)

XII.

I should have known, indeed, that to the brave All things are servants. But my lost Delight Was like the s.h.i.+p that founders in a night, And leaves no mark. How then? Is Pa.s.sion's grave All that is left beside the sobbing wave?

The foam thereof, the saltness, and the blight?

XIII.

I had a fleet of s.h.i.+ps, and where are they?

Where are they all? and where the merchandise I treasured once--an empire's golden prize, The empire of a soul, which, in a day, Lost all its wealth? I was deceiv'd, I say, For I had reckon'd on propitious skies.

XIV.

I look'd afar, and saw no sign of wrack.

I look'd anear, and felt the summer breeze Warm on my cheek; and forth upon the seas I sent my s.h.i.+ps; and would not have them back, Though some averr'd a storm was on the track Of all I lov'd, and all I own'd of these.

XV.

One s.h.i.+p was ”Joy,” the second ”Truth,” the third ”Love in a Dream,” and, last not least of all, ”Hope,” and ”Content,” and ”Pride that hath a Fall.”

And they were goodly vessels, by my word, With sails as strong as pinions of a bird, And crew that answer'd well to Duty's call.

XVI.

In one of these--in ”Hope”--where I did fly A lofty banner,--in that s.h.i.+p I found Doom's-day at last, and all my crew were drown'd.

Yes, I was wreck'd in this, and here I lie, Here on the beach, forlorn and like to die, With none to pray for me on holy ground.

XVII.

O sweet my Lady! If thou pa.s.s this way, And thou behold me where I lie beset By wind and wave, and powerless to forget, Wilt not approach me thoughtfully and say:-- ”This man was true. He lov'd me night and day And though I spurn'd at him, he loves me yet.”

XVIII.

Wilt not withhold thy blame, at least to-night, And shed for me a tear, as one may grieve For people known in books, for men who weave Ropes out of sand, to lead them to the light?

Oh! treat me thus, and, by thy hand so white, I will forego the dreams to which I cleave.

XIX.

Be just to me, and say, when all is o'er, When some such book is calmly laid aside: ”The shadow-men have liv'd and lov'd and died; The shadow-women will be vexed no more.

But there is One for whom my heart is sore, Because he took a shadow for his guide.”

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