Page:The roamer and other poems (1920).djvu/78

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
68
THE ROAMER

Not unto us the issue of our words
Loosed from our lips in this chaotic world!"
And ere he ceased a voice rang hard behind:
"Ho, Reginald!" confusèd words he spoke,
Who seemed to front the stars with lifted hand,
Absorbed in passion, towering with rage,
And strode away; and Reginald shuddering turned:
"Cursed are they who deify the Curse;
But let us hence; too many such as these
Come hither, passing through the night. And thou,
Wide-wanderer, wherefore hast thou ventured here?"
"Serving the Christ," he said, "I seek the lost,
Who noble were, memory and hope my guides,
Through ways I know not of, obeying God."
"Who names the Christ?" another cried aloud,
Out of the shadows starting; "on earth 't was said,
He sent a sword, not peace. I was his Scourge;
Where is the hand that used me?" and he fled.
And Reginald rose, and drew them both away,
And Victor silent on the left side came;
"Not all are noble here," the leader said;
"Thousands there are who haunt the region's base;"
And moving on, "'t is best to look on them
From far, nor mingle with that multitude;"

And soon he brought them to a low-browed ridge.