Robert Bridges, ed. (1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. | | | | Ante Aram |
Rupert Brooke (1887–1915) |
| | | BEFORE 1 thy shrine I kneel, an unknown worshipper, | |
| Chanting strange hymns to thee and sorrowful litanies, | |
| Incense of dirges, prayers that are as holy myrrh. | |
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| Ah! goddess, on thy throne of tears and faint low sighs, | |
| Weary at last to theeward come the feet that err, | 5 |
| And empty hearts grown tired of the world’s vanities. | |
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| How fair this cool deep silence to a wanderer | |
| Deaf with the roar of winds along the open skies! | |
| Sweet, after sting and bitter kiss of sea-water, | |
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| The pale Lethean wine within thy chalices!— | 10 |
| I come before thee, I, too tired wanderer | |
| To heed the horror of the shrine, the distant cries, | |
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| And evil whispers in the gloom, or the swift whirr | |
| Of terrible wings—I, least of all thy votaries, | |
| With a faint hope to see the scented darkness stir, | 15 |
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| And, parting, frame within its quiet mysteries | |
| One face, with lips than autumn-lilies tenderer, | |
| And voice more sweet than the far plaint of viols is, | |
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| Or the soft moan of any grey-eyed lute-player. | |
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