Classic Poem

II. The R HYMER'S R EPLY : I NCENSE AND S PLENDOR

Incense and Splendor haunt me as I go.
Though my good works have been, alas, too few,
Though I do naught, High Heaven comes down to me,
And future ages pass in tall review.
I see the years to come as armies vast,
Stalking tremendous through the fields of time.
M AN is unborn. Tomorrow he is born,
Flame-like to hover o'er the moil and grime,
Striving, aspiring till the shame is gone,
Sowing a million flowers where now we mourn —
Laying new, precious pavements with a song,
Founding new shrines the good streets to adorn.
I have seen lovers by those new-built walls
Clothed like the dawn in orange, gold and red.
Eyes flashing forth the glory-light of love
Under the wreath that crowned each royal head.
Life was made greater by their sweetheart prayers.
Passion was turned to civic strength that day —
Piling the marbles, making fairer domes
With zeal that else had burned bright youth away.
I have seen priestesses of life go by,
Gliding in samite through the incense-sea —
Innocent children marching with them there,
Singing in flowered robes, " The EARTH IS FREE " :
While on the fair, deep-carved unfinished towers
Sentinels watched in armor, night and day —
Guarding the brazier-fires of hope and dream —
Wild was their peace, and dawn-bright their array!