Ambergris

6 AMBERGRIS FROM SONGS OF THE SPIRIT The Goad αν υγρον αμπταιην αιθερα πορσω γαιας Ελλανιας αστερας εσπερους οιον, οιον αλγος επαθον, φιλαι EURIPIDES. Amsterdam, December 23rd, 1897. Let me pass out beyond the city gate. All day I loitered in the little streets Of black worn houses tottering, like the fate That hangs above my head even now, and meets Prayer and defiance as not hearing it. They lean, these old black streets ! a little sky Peeps through the gap, the rough stone path is lit Just for a little by the sun, and I Watch his red face pass over, fade away To other streets, and other passengers, See him take pleasure where the heathen pray, See him relieve the hunter of his furs, All the wide world awaiting him, all folk Glad at his coming, only I must weep : Rise he or sink, my weary eyes invoke Only the respite of a little sleep ; Sleep, just a little space of sleep, to rest The fevered head and cool the aching eyes ; Sleep for a space, to fall upon the breast Of the dear God, that He may sympathise. Long has the day drawn out ; a bitter frost Sparkles along the streets ; the shipping heaves With the slow murmur of the sea, half lost