 | The Poems of A. C. Benson |  |
64
A LILY OF ANNUNCIATION
Buried and based in dull uncleanly mould,
Amazed I see my patient lily climb,
Who all unseen, about the bones of time
Lays hidden hands of faith: then brave and bold
Amazed I see my patient lily climb,
Who all unseen, about the bones of time
Lays hidden hands of faith: then brave and bold
The sleek stem soars, knowing how firm and deep
Her fibres wind and wander: soon she weaves
Hope's ladder high with strong and stately leaves,
And smiles embattled, being throned so steep.
Her fibres wind and wander: soon she weaves
Hope's ladder high with strong and stately leaves,
And smiles embattled, being throned so steep.
Last, her precarious citadel she arms,
Trims and anoints with subtlest alchemy
Green spearheads, mutely folded, soon to be
White trumpets, breathing peace, not raw alarms;
And smites with meek artillery whate'er
Wounds and deflowers the else ambrosial air.
Trims and anoints with subtlest alchemy
Green spearheads, mutely folded, soon to be
White trumpets, breathing peace, not raw alarms;
And smites with meek artillery whate'er
Wounds and deflowers the else ambrosial air.
| The Poems of A. C. Benson | |