PRAYER
H. D. · 1924
White, O white face--
from disenchanted days
wither alike dark rose
and fiery bays:
no gift within our hands,
nor strength to praise,
only defeat and silence;
though we lift hands, disenchanted,
of small strength, nor raise
branch of the laurel
or the light of torch,
but fold the garment
on the riven locks,
yet hear, all-merciful, and touch
the fore-head, dim, unlit of pride and thought,
Mistress--be near!
Give back the glamour to our will,
the thought; give back the tool,
the chisel; once we wrought
things not unworthy,
sandal and steel-clasp;
silver and steel, the coat
with white leaf-pattern
at the arm and throat:
silver and metal, hammered for the ridge
of shield and helmet-rim;
white silver with the dark hammered in,
belt, staff and magic spear-shaft
with the gilt spark at the point and hilt.
_Printed in England at the Pelican Press, 2 Carmelite Street, London,
E.C._
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| Transcriber's Notes |
| |
| Page 42: though amended to through ("through fire I see |
| it, ...") |
| |
| Hyphenation has generally been standardized. However, when a |
| word appears hyphenated and unhyphenated an equal number of |
| times, both versions have been retained (forehead/ |
| fore-head). |
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