I often passed the village

When going home from school —

And wondered what they did there —

And why it was so still —


I did not know the year then —

In which my call would come —

Earlier, by the Dial,

Than the rest have gone.


It's stiller than the sundown.

...

I read my sentence — steadily —

Reviewed it with my eyes,

To see that I made no mistake

In its extremest clause —

The Date, and manner, of the shame —

And then the Pious Form

That "God have mercy" on the Soul

The Jury voted Him —

I made my soul familiar — with her extremity —...

I rose — because He sank —

I thought it would be opposite —

But when his power dropped —

My Soul grew straight.


I cheered my fainting Prince —

I sang firm — even — Chants —

I helped his Film — with Hymn —


And when the Dews drew off

That held his Forehead stiff —
...

‘Seditious Monk’ said Charlemaine,

‘The glory of War thou condemn’st in vain,’

MS. 1st rdg. del.