NOBLEST among the spirits that deny, Now when man's mind, so long time the stars drudge And scavenger of destiny, is made judge O'er his futurity, can thy gaze espy, Down the not-infinite slope of prophecy, The released generations, with less grudge For thwarted joy, now lightlier forward trudge, Framing their will and choice wholly to die? In you our vast conspiracy began First to be published to itself, and press To its completion, now through year on year Strengthening refusal, quelling all love and fear With love of the hour when absolute Nothingness Shall quench the epoch and the grief of Man. |