Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold By "F. Harald Williams"[i.e. F. W. O. Ward]. First Edition |
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THE BRIDGE OF DREAD. |
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 | Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold |  |
104
THE BRIDGE OF DREAD.
Horror and grief and sin, madness and murk and woe
Walled me around and in, shutting inside the foe;
One little way led out forth from the ghastly gloom,
Through silent doors of doubt over the Bridge of Doom;
Under the sword of fire waving across the dead,
Barring the brave desire—over the Path of Dread.
Walled me around and in, shutting inside the foe;
One little way led out forth from the ghastly gloom,
Through silent doors of doubt over the Bridge of Doom;
Under the sword of fire waving across the dead,
Barring the brave desire—over the Path of Dread.
Ray of hope glimmered not in shadow far and near,
All behind was a blot, all before was a fear;
Lingering, I must go deeper in mire of shame;
If I went, down below darker the curded flame
Combed into locks of night; thin as a needle's thread,
Hardly a streak of light, quivered the Path of Dread.
All behind was a blot, all before was a fear;
Lingering, I must go deeper in mire of shame;
If I went, down below darker the curded flame
Combed into locks of night; thin as a needle's thread,
Hardly a streak of light, quivered the Path of Dread.
Ah, could I dare to stop seeing the wrath come nigh,
Seeing the judgment drop as my offence ran high?
Furies in secret force, terror with gnawing fangs,
Guilt and divine remorse drove me with hungry pangs
Out of the hateful past haunting with houndlike tread,
On to the plunge at last over the Path of Dread.
Seeing the judgment drop as my offence ran high?
Furies in secret force, terror with gnawing fangs,
Guilt and divine remorse drove me with hungry pangs
Out of the hateful past haunting with houndlike tread,
On to the plunge at last over the Path of Dread.
Then as I trod at length lightly upon the Bridge,
Under my foot a strength rose like a mountain ridge;
Firm as a paven road sprang what had seemed a hearse,
Meet to uplift the load of a great universe;
Now the grim die was cast, no more a flimsy thread
But as a highway vast, opened the Path of Dread.
Under my foot a strength rose like a mountain ridge;
Firm as a paven road sprang what had seemed a hearse,
Meet to uplift the load of a great universe;
Now the grim die was cast, no more a flimsy thread
But as a highway vast, opened the Path of Dread.
| Matin Bells and Scarlet and Gold | |