I have been urged by earnest violins

So sympathetic, ample, sweet, and goodThat I preferred it to Society.Not for a season, be it understood,But altogether and perpetually.As far as feeling went, I thought I couldBe quit of men, live independently.For men and minds, heart-humours and heart’s-teaseDisturbed without exciting: whereas woods,The seasonal changes, and the chanting seasWere both soul-rousing and sense-lulling. Moods,Such moods…

But His disciples hide apart;And now the Soldiers bear with Him.Near Golgotha strolls many a priest,And in their faces there is prideThat they were flesh-marked by the BeastBy whom the gentle Christ’s deniedThe scribes on all the people shoveAnd bawl allegiance to the state,But they who love the greater loveLay down their life; they do…

In cellars, packed-up saints long serried,Well out of hearing of our trouble.One Virgin still immaculateSmiles on for war to flatter her.She’s halo’d with an old tin hat,But a piece of hell will batter her.

The men came up, lugubrious, but not sad,And knelt reluctantly, half-prejudiced.(And kissing, kissed the emblem of a creed.)Then mourning women knelt; meek mouths they had,(And kissed the Body of the Christ indeed.)Young children came, with eager lips and glad.(These kissed a silver doll, immensely bright.)Then I, too, knelt before that acolyte.Above the crucifix I bent…

Life there is sweeter held than in God’s heart,Stiller than in the heavens of hollow flowers.The wine is gladder there than in gold bowls.And Time shall not drain thence, nor trouble spill.Sources between my fingers feed all souls,Where thou mayest cool thy lips, and draw thy fill.Five cushions hath my hand, for reveries;And one deep…

Then fell a stillness such as harks appalledWhen far-gone dead return upon the world.There watched I for the Dead; but no ghost woke.Each one whom Life exiled I named and called.But they were all too far, or dumbed, or thralled,And never one fared back to me or spoke.Then peered the indefinite unshapen dawnWith vacant gloaming,…