University of Virginia Library


305

LIX. “THE ARMY BEHIND THE MAN”

As in a trance I saw a human form.—
The universe with peals of thunderous sound
And forked red lightnings raged and clamoured round:
Ten thousand waves, a white and angry swarm,
Swept on him. Hell belched forth a poisonous storm
Of fiends who sprang and danced from mound to mound,
Mocking. For human sympathy he found
Cold hearts and hands to meet love's hand-grasp warm.
At first I groaned, and in my sorrow deep
Despaired. “The lonely man is lost,” I said:
“The universe is armed his soul to slay.”
God touched my eyes, and I awoke from sleep
And saw the spirit hosts that leader led
Filling all time and space, and night and day.