"SONG"

[Suggested in part by two lines in W. B. Yeats' poem

THE WITHERING OF THE BOUGHS-

" I know of the sleepy country, where swans fly round

Coupled with golden chains, and sing as they fly."]

THROUGHOUT the silver reaches of the dawn

Gentle and happy with a flush of rose

All the high loyalties their hearts had sworn

And armoured Time could never quell nor any grave might close

Rose up and broke in foam-fresh of morning sky :

Thus Brightness spoke and heard dim earth reply—

" There is a clearness more silver than the dew,

Within the questing thought it builds a fane ;

The clear-lit hope untrammelled hearts pursue

Cries in its living colours from behind the faint-washed bow of rain.

Stained with this light from beyond the world I strive

For the hate-unburdened race .. fearless . . and alive."

Swift flows the endless river pearled with singing

In the far un shadowed land where wisdom starts ;

Through the undefeated sky two white swans winging

Linked with the golden chain no envious corrosion parts.

Heart-held mirror shows the silver dream :

Singing, the tranquil river flows .. white pinions gleam.

November 22, 1934.