shall shape of thy sorrow a flower, The pale bud of pity shall open the bloom of its tenderest rays, The heart of whose shining is bright with the light of the Ancient of Days. 

 

 

 THE CROWN 

 I wore in joy a radiant star; Its rays flew forth into the night; It made them glad who watched afar, And filled their gloom with happy light. 

 Their eyes no more the light may win, And all the loves are changed to scorns. The rays of light pierce deep within, The star is now my crown of thorns. 

 

 

 THE EVERLASTING BATTLE 

 When in my shadowy hours I pierce the hidden heart of hopes and fears, They change into immortal joys or end in immemorial tears. Moytura's battle still endures and in this human heart of mine The golden sun powers with the might of demon darkness intertwine. 

 I think that every teardrop shed still flows from Balor's eye of doom, And gazing on his ageless grief my heart is filled with ageless gloom: I close my ever-weary eyes and in my bitter spirit brood And am at one in vast despair with all the demon multitude. 

 But in the lightning flash of hope I feel the sun-god's fiery sling Has smote the horror in the heart where clouds of demon glooms take wing, I shake my heavy fears aside and seize the flaming sword of will I am of Dana's race divine and know I am immortal still. 

 

 

 ORDEAL 

 Love and pity are pleading with me this hour. What is this voice that stays me forbidding to yield, Offering beauty, love, and immortal power, Æons away in some far-off heavenly field? 

 Though I obey thee, Immortal, my heart is sore. Though love be withdrawn for love it bitterly grieves: Pity withheld in the breast makes sorrow more. Oh that the heart could feel what the mind believes! 

 Cease, O love, thy fiery and gentle pleading. Soft is thy grief, but in tempest through me it rolls. Dreamst thou not whither the path is leading Where 

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