Book 1 — THE APPROACH

In my tired, helpless body I feel my sunk heart ache; But suddenly, loudly The far, the great guns shake. Is it sudden terror Burdens my heart? My hand Flies to my head. I listen.... And do not understand. Is death so near, then? From this blaze of light Do I plunge suddenly Into Vortex? Night? Guns again! the quiet Shakes at the vengeful voice.... It is terrible pleasure. I do not fear: I rejoice.

The battery grides and jingles, Mile succeeds to mile; Shaking the noonday sunshine, The guns lunge out awhile, And then are still awhile. We amble along the highway; The reeking, powdery dust Ascends and cakes our faces With a striped, sweaty crust. Under the still sky's violet The heat thróbs on the air.... The white road's dusty radiance Assumes a dark glare. With a head hot and heavy, And eyes that cannot rest, And a black heart burning In a stifled breast, I sit in the saddle, I feel the road unroll, And keep my senses straightened Toward to-morrow's goal. There, over unknown meadows Which we must reach at last, Day and night thunders A black and chilly blast. Heads forget heaviness, Hearts forget spleen, For by that mighty winnowing Being is blown clean. Light in the eyes again, Strength in the hand, A spirit dares, dies, forgives, And can understand! And, best! Love comes back again After grief and shame, And along the wind of death Throws a clean flame.

The battery grides and jingles, Mile succeeds to mile; Suddenly battering the silence The guns burst out awhile.

I lift my head and smile.

Nearer and ever nearer.... My body, tired but tense, Hovers 'twixt vague pleasure And tremulous confidence. Arms to have and to use them And a soul to be made Worthy if not worthy; If afraid, unafraid. To endure for a little, To endure and have done: Men I love about me, Over me the sun! And should at last suddenly Fly the speeding death, The four great quarters of heaven Receive this little breath.