And the breath be stilled of lips that sigh.

[Ant. 1.

Death at last for all men is a harbour; yet they flee from it,

Set sails to the storm-wind and again to sea;

Yet for all their labour no whit further shall they be from it,

Nor longer but wearier shall their life's work be.

And with anguish of travail until night

Shall they steer into shipwreck out of sight,

And with oars that break and shrouds that strain

Shall they drive whence no ship steers again.

[Pg 44]

[Str. 2.

770

Bitter and strange is the word of the God most high,

And steep the strait of his way.

Through a pass rock-rimmed and narrow the light that gleams

On the faces of men falls faint as the dawn of dreams,

The dayspring of death as a star in an under sky

Where night is the dead men's day.

[Ant. 2.

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