University of Virginia Library


xxxiii

A GREETING.

Annie Besant, brave and dear,
May some message, uttered here,
Reach you, ringing golden-clear.
Though we stand not side by side
In the front of battle wide,
Oft I think of you with pride,
Fellow-soldier in the fight!
Oft I see you flash by night,
Fiery-hearted for the Right!
You for others sow the Grain:
Yours the tears of ripening rain;
Theirs the smiling harvest-gain.
Fellow-worker! we shall be
Workers for Eternity;
Such my faith. And you shall see

xxxiv

Life's no bubble blown of breath
To delude the sight till death;
Whatsoe'er the Un-Seeing saith.
Love that closes dying eyes,
Wakes them too, in glad surprise:
Love that makes for ever wise.
Soul—whilst murmuring “There's no soul”—
Shall upspring like flame from coal:
Death is not Life's final goal.
Bruno lives! Such Spirits come,
Swords, immortal-tempered, from
Fire and Forge of Martyrdom.
You have Soul enough for seven;
Life enough our earth to leaven,
Love enough to create heaven.
One of God's own faithful Few,
Whilst unknowing it, are you,
Annie Besant, bravely true.