THE EARL’S QUEST 
I55 
 
Of love—he rode with head deep bowed—too sweet, 
Too solemn at that moment to respond, 
Or even to lift his evening eyes to greet 
 
The one he knew was nearest—too, too fond ! 
He dared not—not for his sake but for hers. 
So he bent down, and passed away beyond 
 
In space, in time.  [The myriad ministers 
Of God, seeing her soul, prayed God to send 
One spirit yet to turn him—subtly stirs 
 
The eternal glory of god’s mouth ; “ The end 
Is not, nor the beginning.”  Such the speech 
Our language fashions down—to comprehend.] 
 
The wood broke suddenly upon the beach, 
Curved, flat ; the water oozing on the sand 
Stretched waveless out beyond where eye might reach, 
 
A grey and shapeless place, a hopeless land ! 
Yet in that vast, that weary sad expanse 
The Earl saw three strange objects on the strand 
 
His keen eye noted at the firstborn glance, 
And recognised as pointers for his soul ; 
So that his soul was fervid in the dance, 
 
Knowing itself one step more near the goal, 
Should he but make the perfect choice of these. 
Farthest, loose tethered, at a stake’s control,