the Dark Immortal would shepherd our weeping souls? 

 

 

 THE CHILD OF DESTINY 

 This is the hero-heart of the enchanted isle, Whom now the twilight children tenderly enfold, Pat with their pearly palms and crown with elfin gold, While in the mountain's breast his brothers watch and smile. Who now of Dana's host may guide these dancing feet? What bright immortal hides and through a child's light breath Laughs an immortal joy—Angus of love and death Returned to make our hearts with dream and music beat? Or Lugh leaves heavenly wars to free his ancient land; Not on the fiery steed maned with tumultuous flame As in the Fomor days the sunbright chieftain came, But in this dreaming boy, more subtle conquest planned. Or does the Mother brood some deed of sacrifice? Her heart in his laid bare to hosts of wounding spears, Till love immortal melt the cruel eyes to tears, Or on his brow be set the heroes' thorny prize. See! as some shadows of a darker race draw near, How he compels their feet, with what a proud command! What is it waves and gleams? Is that a Silver Hand Whose light through delicate lifted fingers shines so clear? Night like a glowing seraph o'er the kingly boy Watches with ardent eyes from his own ancient home; And far away, rocking in living foam The three great waves leap up exulting in their joy, Remembering the past, the immemorial deeds The Danaan gods had wrought in guise of mortal men, Their elemental hearts madden with life again, And shaking foamy heads toss the great ocean steeds. 

 

 

 A FAREWELL 

 Only in my deep heart I love you, sweetest heart. Many another vesture hath the soul, I pray Call me not forth from this. If from the light I part Only with clay I cling unto the clay. 

 And ah! my bright companion, you and I must go Our ways, unfolding lonely glories, not our own, Nor from each other gathered, but an inward glow Breathed by the Lone One on the seeker lone. 

 If for the heart's own sake we break the heart, we may When the last ruby drop dissolves in diamond light Meet in a deeper vesture in another day. Until that dawn, dear heart, good-night, good-night. 

 

 

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