That something of its marvellous mirth and might

Moved even to madness, fledged as even for flight,

The blood and spirit of one but mortal boy.

So, clothed with love and fear that love makes great,

And armed with hope and hate,

He set first foot upon the spring-flowered ways

That all feet pass and praise.

And one dim dawn between the winter and spring,

In the sharp harsh wind harrying heaven and earth

To put back April that had borne his birth

From sunward on her sunniest shower-struck wing,

With tears and laughter for the dew-dropt thing,

[Pg 303]

Slight as indeed a dew-drop, by the sea

One met him lovelier than all men may be,

God-featured, with god's eyes; and in their might

Somewhat that drew men's own to mar their sight,

Even of all eyes drawn toward him: and his mouth

Was as the very rose of all men's youth,

One rose of all the rose-beds in the world:

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