reaping something new: "They were dangerous guides the feelings Men, my brothers, men the workers, ever she herself was not exempt Truly, she herself had suffer'd" · Perish in thy self-contempt ! That which they have done but earnest of the things that they shall do: For I dipt into the future, far as human eye could see, Saw the Vision of the world, and all the wonder that would be; I 20 ST. AGNES' EVE Deep on the convent-roof the snows Are sparkling to the moon: My breath to heaven like vapour goes: The shadows of the convent-towers Still creeping with the creeping hours Make Thou my spirit pure and clear Or this first snowdrop of the year As these white robes are soil'd and dark, To yonder shining ground; As this pale taper's earthly spark, 6 12 Break up the heavens, O Lord! and far, For me the Heavenly Bridegroom waits, The sabbaths of Eternity, One sabbath deep and wide A light upon the shining sea — SIR GALAHAD My good blade carves the casques of men, The shattering trumpet shrilleth high, The hard brands shiver on the steel, The splinter'd spear-shafts crack and fly, The horse and rider reel: They reel, they roll in clanging lists, And when the tide of combat stands, Perfume and flowers fall in showers, That lightly rain from ladies' hands. How sweet are looks that ladies bend On whom their favours fall! For them I battle till the end, To save from shame and thrall: But all my heart is drawn above, 24 30 36 My knees are bow'd in crypt and shrine: I never felt the kiss of love, Nor maiden's hand in mine. More bounteous aspects on me beam, Me mightier transports move and thrill; So keep I fair thro' faith and prayer A virgin heart in work and will. When down the stormy crescent goes, Between dark stems the forest glows, ΙΟ 20 30 Fair gleams the snowy altar-cloth, Sometimes on lonely mountain-meres I leap on board: no helmsman steers: A gentle sound, an awful light! Three angels bear the holy Grail: And star-like mingles with the stars. When on my goodly charger borne The cock crows ere the Christmas morn, The tempest crackles on the leads, 40 50 And, ringing, springs from brand and mail; I leave the plain, I climb the height; A maiden knight — to me is given Such hope, I know not fear; I yearn to breathe the airs of heaven I muse on joy that will not cease, Whose odours haunt my dreams; And, stricken by an angel's hand, This mortal armour that I wear, This weight and size, this heart and eyes, Are touch'd, are turn'd to finest air. 60 70 80 All night has the casement jessamine stirr'd I said to the lily, "There is but one I said to the rose, "The brief night goes 18 26 |