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| I DRAGGED my flesh through desert gloom, | |
| Tormented by the spirit’s yearning, | |
| And saw a six-winged Seraph loom | |
| Upon the footpath’s barren turning. | |
| And as a dream in slumber lies | 5 |
| So light his finger on my eyes,— | |
| My wizard eyes grew wide and wary: | |
| An eagle’s, startled from her eyrie. | |
| He touched my ears, and lo! a sea | |
| Of storming voices burst on me. | 10 |
| I heard the whirling heavens’ tremor, | |
| The angels’ flight and soaring sweep, | |
| The sea-snakes coiling in the deep, | |
| The sap the vine’s green tendrils carry. | |
| And to my lips the Seraph clung | 15 |
| And tore from me my sinful tongue, | |
| My cunning tongue and idle-worded; | |
| The subtle serpent’s sting he set | |
| Between my lips—his hand was wet, | |
| His bloody hand my mouth begirded. | 20 |
| And with a sword he cleft my breast | |
| And took the heart with terror turning, | |
| And in my gaping bosom pressed | |
| A coal that throbbed there, black and burning. | |
| Upon the wastes, a lifeless clod, | 25 |
| I lay, and heard the voice of God: | |
| “Arise, oh prophet, watch and hearken, | |
| And with my Will thy soul engird, | |
| Through lands that dim and seas that darken, | |
| Burn thou men’s hearts with this, my Word.” | 30 |
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