Volume Ii Part 30 (1/2)

I

Men the Angels eyed; And here they were wild waves, And there as marsh descried; Men the Angels eyed, And liked the picture best Where they were greenly dressed In brotherhood of graves.

II

Man the Angels marked: He led a host through murk, On fearful seas embarked; Man the Angels marked; To think without a nay, That he was good as they, And help him at his work.

III

Man and Angels, ye A sluggish fen shall drain, Shall quell a warring sea.

Man and Angels, ye, Whom stain of strife befouls, A light to kindle souls Bear radiant in the stain.

THE LAST CONTENTION

I

Young captain of a crazy bark!

O tameless heart in battered frame!

Thy sailing orders have a mark, And hers is not the name.

II

For action all thine iron clanks In cravings for a splendid prize; Again to race or b.u.mp thy planks With any flag that flies.

III

Consult them; they are eloquent For senses not inebriate.

They trust thee on the star intent, That leads to land their freight.

IV

And they have known thee high peruse The heavens, and deep the earth, till thou Didst into the flushed circle cruise Where reason quits the brow.

V

Thou animatest ancient tales, To prove our world of linear seed: Thy very virtue now a.s.sails, A tempter to mislead.

VI

But thou hast answer I am I; My pa.s.sion hallows, bids command: And she is gracious, she is nigh: One motion of the hand!

VII

It will suffice; a whirly tune These winds will pipe, and thou perform The nodded part of pantaloon In thy created storm.

VIII