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| BEYOND the path of the outmost sun through utter darkness hurled— | |
| Farther than ever comet flared or vagrant star-dust swirled— | |
| Live such as fought and sailed and ruled and loved and made our world. | |
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| They are purged of pride because they died, they know the worth of their bays; | |
| They sit at wine with the Maidens Nine and the Gods of the Elder Days— | 5 |
| It is their will to serve or be still as fitteth Our Father’s praise. | |
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| ’Tis theirs to sweep through the ringing deep where Azrael’s outposts are, | |
| Or buffet a path through the Pit’s red wrath when God goes out to war, | |
| Or hang with the reckless Seraphim on the rein of a red-maned star. | |
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| They take their mirth in the joy of the Earth—they dare not grieve for her pain. | 10 |
| They know of toil and the end of toil; they know God’s Law is plain; | |
| So they whistle the Devil to make them sport who know that Sin is vain. | |
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| And oft-times cometh our wise Lord God, master of every trade, | |
| And tells them tales of His daily toil, of Edens newly made; | |
| And they rise to their feet as He passes by, gentlemen unafraid. | 15 |
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| To these who are cleansed of base Desire, Sorrow and Lust and Shame— | |
| Gods for they knew the hearts of men, men for they stooped to Fame— | |
| Borne on the breath that men call Death, my brother’s spirit came. | |
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| He scarce had need to doff his pride or slough the dross of Earth— | |
| E’en as he trod that day to God so walked he from his birth, | 20 |
| In simpleness and gentleness and honour and clean mirth. | |
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| So cup to lip in fellowship they gave him welcome high | |
| And made him place at the banquet board—the Strong Men ranged thereby, | |
| Who had done his work and held his peace and had no fear to die. | |
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| Beyond the loom of the last lone star, through open darkness hurled, | 25 |
| Further than rebel comet dared or hiving star-swarm swirled, | |
| Sits he with those that praise our God for that they served His world. | |
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