If thou wert sinless, would not dancing rays

Laugh through the night and gladden other planets?

Would not thy bosom's warmth give life again

To yonder ghost, thy mate in misery?

What hast thou done to be condemned to darkness,

To be a living hell, wherein the souls

Of millions suffer until death? Thy heart

Is gold: hast thou betrayed the sun? Or hast

Thou stolen wondrous goods, in gliding from

The sun? Therefore is Death to be thy child,

{42}

A curse to wander on thy lovely sides,

That oft are torn and ever motherly

Will comfort the offender with her off'rings.

Or art thou dark because thy womb must be

The grave of all thy children, Mother Earth?

{43}

{43}

 THE SENTINEL

EACH flower is a sentinel of God,

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