Volume I Part 31 (1/2)

You would not think that brow could e'er Ungentle moods express, Yet seemed it, in this troubled world, Too calm for gentleness, When the very star that s.h.i.+nes from far s.h.i.+nes trembling ne'ertheless.

VII.

It lacked, all need, the softening light Which other brows supply: We should conjoin the scathed trunks Of our humanity, That each leafless spray entwining may Look softer 'gainst the sky.

VIII.

None gazed within the poet's face, The poet gazed in none; He threw a lonely shadow straight Before the moon and sun, Affronting nature's heaven-dwelling creatures With wrong to nature done:

IX.

Because this poet daringly, --The nature at his heart, And that quick tune along his veins He could not change by art,-- Had vowed his blood of brotherhood To a stagnant place apart.

X.

He did not vow in fear, or wrath, Or grief's fantastic whim, But, weights and shows of sensual things Too closely crossing him, On his soul's eyelid the pressure slid And made its vision dim.

XI.

And darkening in the dark he strove 'Twixt earth and sea and sky To lose in shadow, wave and cloud, His brother's haunting cry: The winds were welcome as they swept, G.o.d's five-day work he would accept, But let the rest go by.

XII.

He cried, ”O touching, patient Earth That weepest in thy glee, Whom G.o.d created very good, And very mournful, we!

Thy voice of moan doth reach His throne, As Abel's rose from thee.

XIII.

”Poor crystal sky with stars astray!

Mad winds that howling go From east to west! perplexed seas That stagger from their blow!

O motion wild! O wave defiled!

Our curse hath made you so.

XIV.

'_We!_ and _our_ curse! do _I_ partake The desiccating sin?

Have _I_ the apple at my lips?

The money-l.u.s.t within?

Do _I_ human stand with the wounding hand, To the blasting heart akin?