|
Awhile on the chill dreadful edge of Night All stood as if a world were doomed to die And waited on the eternal silence' brink. Heaven leaned towards them like a cloudy brow Of menace through the dim and voiceless hush. As thoughts stand mute on a despairing verge Where the last depths plunge into nothingness And the last dreams must end, they paused; in their front Were glooms like shadowy wings, behind them, pale, The lifeless evening was a dead man's gaze. Hungry beyond, the night desired her soul. But still in its lone niche of templed strength Motionless, her flame-bright spirit, mute, erect, Burned like a torch-fire from a windowed room Pointing against the darkness' sombre breast. The Woman first affronted the Abyss Daring to journey through the eternal Night. Armoured with light she advanced her foot to plunge Into the dread and hueless vacancy; Immortal, unappalled, her spirit faced The danger of the ruthless eyeless waste. Against night's inky ground they stirred, moulding Mysterious motion on her human tread, A swimming action and a drifting march Like figures moving before eyelids closed: All as in dreams went slipping, gliding on. The rock-gate's heavy walls were left behind; As if through passages of receding time Present and past into the Timeless lapsed; Arrested upon dim adventure's brink, 
|
