HOW few are they that voyage through the night On that eternal quest, For that strange light beyond our light, That rest beyond our rest. And they who, seeking beauty, once descry Her face, to most unknown; Thenceforth like changelings from the sky Must walk their road alone. So once I dreamed. So idle was my mood; But now, before these eyes, From those foul trenches, black with blood, What radiant legions rise! And loveliness over the wounded earth awakes Like wild-flowers in the Spring. Out of the mortal chrysalis breaks Immortal wing on wing. They rise like flowers, they wander on wings of light, Through realms beyond our ken. The loneliest soul is companied tonight By hosts of unknown men. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE RUNAWAY SLAVE AT PILGRIM'S POINT by ELIZABETH BARRETT BROWNING LOVE by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE THE BUTTERFLY AND THE BEE by WILLIAM LISLE BOWLES THE DISTURBED WASP; TO WILLIAM BEEBE by ANNE MILLAY BREMER AND ONE SHALL LIVE IN TWO by JONATHAN HENDERSON BROOKS |