Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE BRIDGE, by VICTOR MARIE HUGO


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE BRIDGE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: I gazed on darkness where the pit most dread
Last Line: "what is thy name?"" said I. He answered ""pray'r."
Subject(s): Bridges; Prayer


I GAZED on darkness where the pit most dread
Yawned from its shoreless depth unfathoméd.
Therein nought stirred. I felt as one drawn down
Within its silent endlessness to drown.
Far off, beyond the shadow as though quelled
Like a dim star, the Godhead I beheld.
I cried: "My soul, my soul, thou must pass o'er
This endless gulf that hath nor shoal nor shore,
And this same night ev'n unto God must wend
Over a bridge of arches without end.
Nay, who can build it? None. Most dreadful pit!
O weep!" While still I gazed in awe on it,
A ghostly form and pale before me stept
That had the seeming of a tear new wept;
A virgin's brow, a child's soft hands were his;
And white he was as a pure lily is;
Light was where he clasped hands. He showed where loomed
The hollow pit whereto all dust is doomed,
So deep that thence no voice sounds back again,
And said, "Thy bridge I'll build, if thou be fain."
And on the pallid stranger I did stare.
"What is thy name?" said I. He answered "Pray'r."





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