A SOUL of many longings entered late A chapel like a jewel blazing bright, And fell upon the altar-steps. All night She held with hopes and agonies debate; With tears the litanies love-passionate Drenched her; triumphant colours burned her white; And, as the incense flamed in silver light, God sealed her to His own novitiate. And then, because her eyes were charmed with peace, And blinded by the stars new-born within The lit sweet lids God's dreams had loverèd,— Nine paces from that House of Ecstasies Her feet were taken in the snares of sin; And, ere the morning quickened, she was dead. |