Frances Gregg. Pageant. Harriet Monroe, ed. Poetry: A Magazine of Verse. 1912-22

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

Pageant

By Frances Gregg


SILENTLY, through the misted, silver quiet,
They come.
And the feet that were dancing,
And the music and laughter,
Are still.	5
And the wreaths that were
Of poppies and vine-leaves,
And the sheaves of wheat,
And the purple fruit of the vineyards
That they bore in their hands,	10
And the colored robes that they wore,
Were of one tint and transparence,
Silver.
And lightly they passed.
And music,	15
Long sought and forgotten music,
Lifted the mists.
And One, holding a scourge
Whose devious flames
Sang,	20
Bade them kneel down;
And each ineffable Victim
Went forth,
Bearing a golden, never-healing wound.