University of Virginia Library

THE PERILOUS ROAD.

A POEM FOR SPIRITUALISTS.

“HERMIT.” THE YOUTH SAID, “TEACH MY HEART THE WAYS
OF HEAVEN'S FREE DAYS.
AND ARE THEIR PLEASURES VARIOUS, FRAGILE, FLEET
WHERE BRIGHT SOULS MEET?
FATHER IN GOD, FOR I HAVE FASTED LONG,
TEACH A WILD SONG.
TEACH ME, THE WHILE I KNEEL, A CURIOUS PRAYER
TO RULE THE AIR.
SHOW ME THE SECRET DOOR THAT OPENS WIDE
WHERE CHARIOTS RIDE.
CHARIOTS THAT COME TO WHIRL YOU TO THE SKY,
WHEN EVE IS NIGH,
CHARIOTS THAT BEAR YOU BACK TO TIME AND SPACE,
AND THIS GRIM PLACE.”
“NAY,” SAID THE PALSIED MAN, “I KEEP THE SPELL
OF HEAVEN, OF HELL.
NAY, THOUGH YOU KNEEL, GOOD YOUTH, I WILL NOT SHOW
WHAT HERMITS KNOW.
SELDOM I DARE TO OPEN WIDE MINE EYES,
BY THAT PATH LIES
TERROR, AND ROSE-BRIARS FIERCE WILL PIERCE AND SEAR,
THIS OLD FRAME HERE.
HE WHO WOULD SPEAK TO STRANGERS IN THE NIGHT
GOING BY, IN WHITE:
HE WHO WOULD SPEAK TO CHRIST IN FUNERAL ROOMS
AND BY NEW TOMBS:
WHO WOULD TOUCH THE HOT-WINGED, TALL IMMORTAL MEN,
AND RETURN AGAIN:
MUST SCORN HIS DAILY LIFE AND NATURAL FRIENDS,
SUCH FRIENDSHIP ENDS.
HE MUST LEAVE HIS SWEETHEART WEEPING IN THE LANE,
TO FORESTALL HER PAIN
WHEN HE WAKES ONCE MORE, HER FINDING HIM SO COLD
TO THEIR LOVE OF OLD.
A HEAVEN OF HEAVENS IS NOT ALWAYS WORTH
A SURRENDERED EARTH.
ONE BLAST OF THAT PERILOUS AIR DRIES UP THE HEART,
YEA, IT SETS APART
FROM ALL THINGS HERE THE SEER, HALF MAD, ALONE,
LIKE A LEAF, A STONE.”