Page:A Treasury of South African Poetry.djvu/279

 DE PROFUNDIS. dying sun, with mellow ray,
 * Illum'd the deep'ning gloom

Of carvéd apse and storied bay
 * And costly sculptur'd tomb.

On aisle and chapel, choir and shrine,
 * The morient beam delay'd;

Its ling'ring beauty, half divine,
 * Upon the altar stray'd.

Before that altar knelt a man
 * Absorbed in earnest pray'r;

His pallid face, with suff'ring wan,
 * Was overcast with care.

Fast, fast the eager tear-drops rolled
 * Adown his bronzèd cheek,

His heaving bosom's sobs foretold
 * His very heart would break.

His harness, all of metal tried,
 * Was cunningly inlaid

With jewels rare, and by his side
 * His golden helm display'd;

A silken scarf, of gorgeous sheen,
 * Upon his breast he wore,

And rev'rently, his hands atween,
 * A crucifix he bore.