第29章

Inmany-colouredragstheyran，Likeironrunletsoftheheath。

Dispersedlaybroth-pot，sticks，anddrinking-can。

Threegirls，withshoulderslikeaboatatseaTippedsidewaysbythewave(theirclothingslidFromeitherridgeunequally)，Lean，swiftandvoluble，bestridAstarting-point，unfrockedtothebentknee。

Theyraced；theirbrothersyelledthemon，andbrokeInacttofollow，butasonetheysnuffedWood-fumes，andbythefirethatspokeOfprovender，itspaleflamepuffed，Androlledathwartdwarffurzesgrey-bluesmoke。

Soononthedarkedgeofaruddiergleam，Themother-potperusing，all，stretchedflat，Pausedforitsbubbling-upsupreme：

Adoguprightincirclesat，Andofthisnosewentwiththeflyingsteam。

Iturnedandlookedonheavenawhile，wherenowThemoor-facedsunsetbroadenedwithredlight；

Threwhighaloftagoldenbough，AndseemedthedesertofthenightFardownwithmelloworchardstoendow。

Onhergreatventure，Man，EarthgazeswhileherfingersdintthebreastWhichishiswellofstrength，hishomeofrest，Andfairtoscan。

Moreaidthanthatembrace，Thatnourishment，shecannotge：hisheartInvolveshisfate；andshewhourgedthestartAbidestherace。

ForheisinthelistsContentiouswiththeelements，whosedowerFirstspranghim；forswiftvulturestodevourIfhedesists。

HisbreathofinstantthirstIswarningofacreaturematchedwithstrife，Tomeetitasabride，orletfalllifeOnlife’saccursed。

NolongerforthheboundsThelustyanimal，afieldtoroam，ButpeeringinEarth’sentrails，wherethegnomeStrangethemespropounds。

ByhungersharplyspedTograspatweaponserehelearnstheiruse，Ineachnewringhebearsagiant’sthews，Aninfant’shead。

AndeverthatoldtaskOfreadingwhatheisandwhencehecame，Whithertogo，findswilderlettersflameAcrosshermask。

Shehearshiswailfulprayer，WhennowtotheInsibleheravesTorendhimfromher，nowofhismothercravesHercalm，hercare。

I

ThethingthatshuddersmostWithinhimistheburdenofhiscry。

Seenofhisdread，sheistohisblankeyeTheeyelessGhost。

OrsometimesshewillseemHeavenly，butherblush，soonwearingwhite，Veilslikeagorsebushinawebofblight，Withgold-budsdim。

OnceworshippedPrimeofPowers，ShestillwastheImplacable：asabeast，ShestruckhimdownanddraggedhimfromthefeastShecrownedwithflowers。

Herpompofglorioushues，Herrevelriesofripeness，herkindsmile，Hersongs，herpeepingfaces，lureawhileWithsymbol-clues。

ThemysterysheholdsForhim，inveteratelyhestrainstosee，AndsightofhisobtusenessisthekeyAmongthosefolds。

Hemayentreat，aspire，Hemaydespair，andshehasneverheed。

Shedrinkinghiswarmsweatwillsoothehisneed，Nothisdesire。

Shepromptshimtorejoice，Yetscareshimonthethresholdwiththeshroud。

Hedeemshercherishingofherbest-endowedAwanton’schoice。

AlbeitthereofhehasfoundFirmroadwaybetweenlustfulnessandpain；

Hashalftransferredthebattletohisbrain，Frombloodyground；

Hewillnotreadhergood，Orwise，butwiththepassionSelfobscures；

Throughthatolddelofthethousandlures，Throughthatdensehood：

Throughterror，throughdistrust；

Thegreedtotouch，toew，tohave，tole：

ThroughallthatmakesofhimasensiteAbhorringdust。

Beholdhiswormyhome!

Andhethewind-whipped，anywhitherwaveCrazilytumbledonashingle-graveTowasteinfoam。

ThereforethewretchinclinedAfreshtotheInsible，who，hesaith，Canraisehimhigh：withvowsoflingfaithForlittlesigns。

Somesignshemustdemand，Someproofsofslaughterednature；someprizedfew，Tosatisfythesensesitistrue，Andinhishand，

ThismiraclewhichsavesHimself，himselfdothfromextinctionclutch，Byrtueofhisworth，contrastingmuchWithbrutesandknaves。

Fromdust，ofhimabhorred，HewouldbesnatchedbyGracediscoveringworth。

’SevermefromthehollownessofEarth!

Metake，dearLord!’

Shehearshim。HimsheowesForhalfherlovelinessalovewellwonByworkthatlightstheshapelessandthedun，Theircommonfoes。

Hebuildsthesoaringspires，Thatsinghis