THE GRAVE-SONG 155
fellows, the blessed spirits ! Unto their memory I lay down this wreath and this curse.
This curse upon you, mine enemies! For ye have made short what was eternal for me ; as a sound breaketh off in a cold night ! Scarcely as a glancing of divine eyes it came unto me, as a moment !
Thus in a good hour once spake my purity : ' All beings shall be divine for me ! '
Then ye surprised me with foul ghosts. Alas ! Whither fled then that good hour?
' All days shall be holy unto me.' Thus spake once thfe wisdom of my youth, verily, the speech of a gay wisdom !
But then ye, mine enemies, stole my nights and sold them to cause me sleepless pain. Alas ! Whither now hath fled that gay wisdom ?
Once I desired lucky bird-omens. Then ye led an owl-monster across my way, an adverse one. Alas! Whither fled then my tender desire ?
Once I promised to renounce all loathing. Then ye changed into ulcers those who were nigh unto me and nighest unto me. Alas ! Whither fled then my noblest promise ?
As a blind man I once went in blessed ways. Then ye threw filth in the way of the blind man. And now the old footpath of the blind man striketh him with disgust.
And when I did my hardest and celebrated the
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