Poems (Young)/The Star of Knowledge
THE STAR OF KNOWLEDGE.
Thou hast the golden glory of the dayFor trailing garment worn by women folk,And night about thee like a purple cloak,But evermore thy head is turned away.Austere thou goest where the starry sprayBeats on the verge of time with rhythmic stroke:Far off I follow, for my soul awokeAnd knew thee passing without smile or stay.Once face to face with thee Odysseus cameIn the lone island when the gods had hurledHis ship to ruin on an alien sea,And I may reach thee, Ashless Heart of Flame,When I have wrecked for thee the narrow worldFate built about me, and my soul is free.