Life and Phantasy by William Allingham: With frontispiece by Sir John E. Millais: A design by Arthur H. Hughes and a song for voice and piano forte |
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 | Life and Phantasy |  |
41
DANGER.
I strove for wicked peace, but might not win;
The bonds would bite afresh, one moment slack.
“Then burst them!” . . . . instantly I felt begin
Damnation. Falling through a chasm of black,
I swiftly sunk thousands of miles therein.
Soul grew incorporate with gross weight of sin,
Death clung about my feet: let none dare track
My journey. But a far Voice called me back.
The bonds would bite afresh, one moment slack.
“Then burst them!” . . . . instantly I felt begin
Damnation. Falling through a chasm of black,
I swiftly sunk thousands of miles therein.
Soul grew incorporate with gross weight of sin,
Death clung about my feet: let none dare track
My journey. But a far Voice called me back.
I breathe this world's infatuating air
And tremble as I walk. Most men are bold,
Perchance through madness. O that I could hold
One path, nor wander to the fen, nor dare
Between the precipice and wild beast's lair!
Penalties are establish'd from of old.
And tremble as I walk. Most men are bold,
Perchance through madness. O that I could hold
One path, nor wander to the fen, nor dare
Between the precipice and wild beast's lair!
Penalties are establish'd from of old.
| Life and Phantasy | |