Deeds of finality, darkening the spirit—

Rousing the echoes of thought to reverberate

Ever and ever       "Alas!" evermore.

Once in a burning day's brightness like this,

Sad I awaited the quenching forever of

Light that had mantled and flickered and ebbed out

Unto some twilight of hope and of reason.

Out of his own unto future time's darkness

Wistfully gazed he, as one who unhelped floats,

Swept by a current past land out to sea.

He started alertly with laughter and mockery,

Loud at its height with the rapture of contest.

For him the light focusses now to one vision,

Shot through its beautiful heart with black terror,

Terror from weakness, remorse and leave-taking.

To his scared eye the day's bitter brightness

Circles about the dark doorway set open

Awaiting his entrance ere shut to for ever.

Ever he harkens to voices behind him

Dolefully hinting defect and omission;

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