Destroyers and Other Verses/The Price
THE PRICE
Night hovers blue above the sombre square,
The solitary amber lanterns throw
A soft penumbra on the path below,
And through the plumed pavilion of the trees
A solemn breeze
Bears faintly from the river midnight bells;
While at this peaceful hour my spirit tells
Its tale of arduous joys,
Pain conquered, Fear resolved, or Hope regained,
Swift recognition of some law divine,
Shy gratitude that could not be restrained,
All these were mine,
And so, supremely blest,
I sink to rest.
Through labyrinthine sleep I grope my way,
Feeble of purpose, sick at heart, and sure
Some unknown ill will lead my steps astray
Till, cold and grey,
The dawn rays through my shuttered windows steal
And with closed eyes I thank my God for light,
For the fierce purpose of another day,
When work and thought forbid the heart to feel.