POETRY.
BILLIOL COLLEGE CHAPEL. SUNSET : and showering down, in gleaming rain, Jewel on jewel; amber, amethyst,
And beryl, mixed ; while through one stainless pane The untarnished evening floats in golden mist.
The echoing surf-beat of the chanted psalm Hath lulled at length, and a deep hush succeeds. In level tones, smooth, passionless, and calm, A Scholar the appointed Scripture reads.
And there is rest,—not peace. Unquiet souls By this cool hour not so much soothed, as stilled. Here, in full flood, the tide of manhood rolls : Its force unspent, its ardour yet unchilled.
Not peace, but rest : a moment's breathing space, With nerves still quivering from the inteneer strain, They pause, these runners of a noble race, Ere springing forward on the track again. For these, like that young poet long ago, Whom sleeping, France's Princess found so fair She kissed him with a kiss as pure as snow ; These Truth hath seen and chosen unaware.
And they awake ; and join the accustomed strife, Their brows unbranded by that lip of flame. And seek to live the world's unconscious life, Like others ; but they are no more the same.
For all those meaner lures that take the crowd, And such light loves as perish in their birth, Have lost their magic for these dreamers, vowed, Henceforward, to a service not of earth.
One hope is iron in their blood. One form Shines out before, above them ; as a star, Now hid by clouds, now lost in sudden storm, Emerges in clear heavens, serene and far.
And scarce they mark the roughness of the way : The poisonous marshes of their life's low land r Its toilsome heights, where many lions stray: Its red, interminable wastes of sand.
Ah ! not in vain the unceasing, lifelong quest Of dauntless hearts, that sicken, but endure. Nor count him hapless, whose unshrinking breast Keeps to the end its young ideal pure, Till She, who fled him while he followed Her, Hearing, behind, those stumbling footsteps fail; Tarn back to meet Her dying worshipper, And from Her glorious eyes withdraw the veil.
EDWARD SYDNEY TYLE.W...
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