"IS this a time for setting forth -- The driven clouds hang low, A wolf-wind howls from out the North Across the wastes of snow?" "Nay, kiss me on my mouth, true wife, The hour is come to go." "But go you out to fight, my Lord? Your men-at-arms sleep all -- And go you without horse and sword To meet your foeman's call?" "I bear another weapon, wife, Stiff fingers let not fall." "But go you fasting, Lord of mine, Ere yet the feast be spread?" "The Priest shall touch my mouth with wine, My lips with broken bread, That in that far place where I fare My soul shall go full-fed." "And whither leads the path, my Lord, That you would take alone?" "It leadeth to a silent ford Unseen of moon and sun." "And shall one point the way to you?" -- "Aye, one and only one." "And whoso is the foe that stands To give you battle there?" "One with no weapon in his hands And with his body bare, And in his eyes the selfsame look My saddest sin may wear. "Now lay the cross in my two hands, And bid the Priest begin, Seeing I fare to Death's dark lands To war with that my Sin, Who stands before the door of God And will not let me in." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AMERICA TO GREAT BRITAIN by WASHINGTON ALLSTON MY ORCHA'D IN LINDEN LEA by WILLIAM BARNES SONNET: 14. ON THE RELIGIOUS MEMORY OF CATHERINE THOMASON by JOHN MILTON THE CHRYSANTHEMUMS by AUGUSTE ANGELLIER MIDWINTER by MARGARET E. BRUNER ADDRESS TO DUMOURIER by ROBERT BURNS AIRS SUNG AT BROUGHAM CASTLE: SHADOWS by THOMAS CAMPION UPON PRINCESS ELIZABETH, BORN THE NIGHT BEFORE NEW YEAR'S DAY by JOHN CLEVELAND |