EPILOGUE. FIRST SPEAKER, as David. 1. On the first of the Feast of Feasts, The Dedication Day, When the Levites joined the Priests 2. When the thousands, rear and van, Swarming with one accord, Became as a single man, (Look, gesture, thought and word) In praising and thanking the Lord,— 3. When the singers lift up their voice, Whose mercy endureth for ever!". 4. Then the Temple filled with a cloud, Porch bent and pillar bowed: For the presence of the Lord, In the glory of His cloud, Had filled the House of the Lord. SECOND SPEAKER, as Renan. Gone now! All gone across the dark so far, Sharpening fast, shuddering ever, shutting still, Dwindling into the distance, dies that star Which came, stood, opened once! We gazed our fill With upturned faces on as real a Face That, stooping from grave music and mild fire, Took in our homage, made a visible place Through many a depth of glory, gyre on gyre, For the dim human tribute. Was this true? Thrill with a heart's red tinge that pure pale bliss? Why did it end? Who failed to beat the breast, And shriek, and throw the arms protesting wide, The music, like a fountain's sickening pulse, Some vestige of a Face no pangs convulse, Of multitudinous points, yet suns, men say— But where may hide what came and loved our clay? How shall the sage detect in yon expanse The star which chose to stoop and stay for us? Unroll the records! Hailed ye such advance Indeed, and did your hope evanish thus? Watchers of twilight, is the worst averred ? We shall not look up, know ourselves are seen, |