THE DESERTED CITY

THE DESERTED CITY

Stray Sonnets written by F. S.
and Rescued for the Few who
Love them by H. D.

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MDCCCXCIX

THE DESERTED CITY

THE HOUSE OF NIGHT

 

Though all the light were lifted from the land,

And a great darkness lay upon the sea;

Though, groping each for some not-careless hand,

I felt sad men pass over wearily;

Though it were certain dawn would not come in

With the next hour; that after many days

Would no moon rise where the grey clouds grew thin,

Nor any stars resume their ancient ways:

Though all my world was thus, and I more blind

Than the dead, blundering planets raining past,

I know I should not fancy Time unkind;

For you, as once of old you came, at last

Would surely come, and with unfaltering faith

Lead me beyond the dominance of death.

THE HOUSE OF DOUBT

 

Why should we fear? The sun will surely rise,

If we but wait, to light us on our way.

Think you none hearkeneth to us who pray,

That no God's heart is softened by our cries?

Did we not learn that He was kind and wise

And loved our souls? And shall your bodies say

"There is no light. The tales they told us,--they

Were only dreams, dreamed in the House of Lies."

Nay, listen not to what your body saith,

But by the memory of those antique years

When it was evil and of little faith

And led the soul along a way of tears,

Let your soul chant--as one that hath no fears--

"We know that Thou art stronger, God, than death."