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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


VALE by GEORGE WILLIAM RUSSELL

First Line: THIS WAS THE HEAVENLY HIDING PLACE
Last Line: AFTER THE MASTER FOR THE DREAM.

This was the heavenly hiding place
Wherein the spirit laughed a day,
All its proud ivories and fires
Shrunk to a shovelful of clay.

It must have love, this silent earth,
To leap up at the King’s desire,
Moving in such a noble dance
Of wreathed ivory and fire.

It will not stir for me at all,
Nor answer me with voice nor gleam
Adieu, sweet-memoried dust, I go
After the Master for the dream.



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