Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold :: :: University of Virginia Library

Once in a morning, scarlet as scorning queens with adorning
Garments of blood,
Out of the prison Night re-arisen
Day came in flood;
Opened with blushing bosom and flushing cheeks and red rushing
Steps of the storm,
Gathering round her roses that wound her
Wonderful form;
Crimson her lightning lips, in the bright'ning glow that was height'ning
Grandeur and grace,
Misty on mountains, fair in the fountains
Clear as God's face.
Then from the glory, washing in gory waves, on my hoary
Head fell a ray,
Laid like a finger, fondly to linger,
But not in play.

“Thou art anointed, thou art appointed for the disjointed
Time,” said a Voice,
“Greatly to suffer and in the rougher
Stress to rejoice;
Speak not to other, own none a brother, friend, or as mother
Even or wife;
Silence thy carol, peace thy apparel
Stemming the strife;

108

Prophets have spoken idly, and broken not one vain token
Worshipt as Truth;
Thou be the witness, to the unfitness
Poisoning youth!
Forth from the meaner modes and the leaner lamps unto cleaner
Pasturings take
Captive, by living upward and giving,
All and re-make.”

Thus without staying, though but for praying, with no delaying
Calmly I came,
Into the struggle where the knaves juggle
Lightly with fame;
When honour dwindles, spent as old spindles, and none rekindles
Bravely the fire;
Where hushed and hidden, fled and forbidden,
Sleeps dim desire.
I utter nothing, clad in the clothing of high betrothing
Bound to God's Will;
But that ray's gesture, with its red vesture,
Haloes me still.
Out of sin's hollow greedy to swallow more, a few follow
Fain to be healed;
But I go humbly, and my lips dumbly
Ever are sealed.