MEMORIAL ODE
Soft, severe, and sweet as dawn when first it laughed and leapt
Forth of heaven, and clove the clouds that wrought it wrong.
Forth of heaven, and clove the clouds that wrought it wrong.
Calm and proud and patient even as light that bides its hour
All night long till night wax weary, shone the soul
Crowned and girt with light, sublime in peace and sure in power,
Sunlike, over tidal years and changes; whole,
Full, serene, superb as time that kindles fruit from flower,
Lord alike of waves that rest and waves that roll.
All night long till night wax weary, shone the soul
Crowned and girt with light, sublime in peace and sure in power,
Sunlike, over tidal years and changes; whole,
Full, serene, superb as time that kindles fruit from flower,
Lord alike of waves that rest and waves that roll.
Sunlight round the soft Virgilian meads where sunbeams sleep
Lulled not overlong a spirit of strength to strive
Right against the winds that stormier times heard strain and sweep
Round the rocks whereon man crucified alive
Man, and bade the soul of manhood cower and chant and weep,
Strong in vain to soar and seek, to delve and dive.
Lulled not overlong a spirit of strength to strive
Right against the winds that stormier times heard strain and sweep
Round the rocks whereon man crucified alive
Man, and bade the soul of manhood cower and chant and weep,
Strong in vain to soar and seek, to delve and dive.
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