Poems (Radford)/At Last

by Dollie Radford

For works with similar titles, see At Last.

At Last

My feet had faltered in the way,
 Before I was aware,
In the bleak road it was most mete
I should before the night complete,
The stony road that tore my feet—
 Which were so bare.

My eyes were watchful as I went,
 And steadfast night and day,
Through all the valley mists that rise
From spring to spring—I was so wise—
There were not any tearless eyes
 More clear than they.

So sure upon the road I was,
 My heart was cold as stone,
I would not let its passion wake,
I strove and killed it for the sake
Of that high way I thought to take,
 Till Heaven were won.

So cold my heart and icy deep,
 The dreams upon it cast,
My pain was like a frozen shroud
Round a dead Queen whose face is proud,
The while I said that God allowed
 Such pain to last.

But came a day of all the days
 That were so surely bleak,
My shroud was changed to leaping flame,
From sun and moon and stars there came
A fire to fill my heart—whose name
 I dare not speak.

I did not stop for joy or fear,
 I did not stay my feet,
I said "My heart is strong as fire,
My heart shall burn with its desire,
Its rapture shall not break nor tire
 This is most mete."

Before I was aware, oh God,
 Before my strength could choose,
I left the road so long decreed,
I faltered—and my steps were freed,
To find these flowers—for all my need—
 These morning dews.

This summer bed of fragrant thyme,
 For me so newly made,
These shining meadows through whose sun
Like little streams the shadows run,
Where now—before the day is done—
 I am afraid.

My tears are wet upon my cheek
 I have not any care,
Deep in the dews I bow my face—
To ask Thy pity in this place,
Where I have faltered by Thy grace,
 So unaware.