it half a blessing; I could herd then the cattle, and drive the goats away; Many a Paternoster I would say for your safe keeping; I could sleep above your heart, until the dawn of day.

p. 58I see you on the prairie, hot with thirst and faint with hunger; The head that I love lying low upon the sand. The vultures shriek impatient, and the coyote dogs are howling, Till the blood is pulsing cold within your clenching hand.

p. 58

I see you on the waters, so white, so still forlorn, Your dear eyes unclosing beneath a foreign rain: A plaything of the winds, you turn and drift unceasing, No grave for your resting; O mine the bitter pain!

All through the night did I hear the Banshee keening:  Somewhere you are dying, and nothing can I do; My hair with the wind, and my two hands clasped in anguish; Bitter is your trouble—and I am far from you.

p. 59SANCTUARY

p. 59

Neighbour! for pity a hound cries on your steps With pleading eyes, with sore and weary feet. Neighbour! your pity a poor beast doth implore; Hunger and cold are busy in the street. Then, neighbour! pause; ’tis no good work you do. “Off from my door! I have no place for you.”

Neighbour, your mercy! A heart of love is here, Within this weary body—love is rare, And seldom comes to cry before our door. Then open wide, and take your little share. Love pleads to be your servant, leal and true. “Off from my step! I have no place for you.”

From step to step abused, from door to door, Whipped by the wind, and beaten by the rain, With hunger at his throat, he passes on; Yet one who follows shares the creature’s pain. One follows. Neighbour, stop! unless you rue. “Off from my step! I have no place for you.”

p. 60The gentle Christ had heard His crying hound, And left His throne to track the weary feet. He follows, though unseen, with bleeding heart, Refused from door to door, from street to street. Yes, one who follows had refusal too. “Off from my door! I have no place for you.”

p. 60

p. 61AN EASTERN GOD

p. 61

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