Joseph Andrew Galahad. Sic Passim. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

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Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912–22.

Sic Passim

By Joseph Andrew Galahad


The Angel.	NOW here’s the road to Allencourt,
	And here’s the road to Tyre.
	And he who goes to Allencourt
	Is purged of all desire.

The Youth.	But what of him who goes to Tyre,	5
	Among the cedar trees?
The Angel.	Why, he who goes to Tyre has none
	But just himself to please.

	While he who goes to Allencourt
	Across the Hills of Pain	10
	Must love his fellow very well,
	And count no thing as gain

	That wounds another. He must keep
	His eyes upon the crest
	Of that high hill, where he at last	15
	Through virtue shall find rest.

The Youth.	But what of him who goes to Tyre,
	Along the road of ease?
The Angel.	Why, he who goes to Tyre has none
	But just himself to please;	20

	While he who goes to Allencourt,
	And does not lose his way
	Among the thorns and brambles, comes
	To rich reward some day.

The Old Man.	Ah, why are thorns and brambles set	25
	To make the road a care?
The Angel.	Why, man himself, most carelessly,
	Has placed the brambles there.

The Youth.	But what of him who goes to Tyre
	Beside the sunny seas?	30
The Angel.	Why, he who goes to Tyre has none
	But just himself to please.

The Old Man.	And what’s the toll to Allencourt?
The Youth.	And what’s the toll to Tyre?
The Angel.	Why, he who goes to Allencourt	35
	Is purged of all desire.

	The toll is love—a brother’s love—
	For man in full sincerity.
	And all the peace that God has willed
	Is the reward—eternally.	40

	But toll upon the other road
	Is crucible of burn and freeze:
	For he who goes to Tyre has none
	But just himself to please.

	While he who goes to Allencourt	45
	Is purged of all desire …
The Old Man.	Lord, lead me on to Allencourt!
The Youth.	For me, I go to Tyre.

CONTENTS · BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

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