Page:Lord of the World - Benson - 1908.djvu/382

352 sun which paled and the earth that shook; and, as He came, passing even then through the last material stage to the thinness of a spirit-fabric, the floating circle swirled behind Him, tossing like phantom birds in the wake of a phantom ship He was coming, and the earth, rent once again in its allegiance, shrank and reeled in the agony of divided homage

He was coming—and already the shadow swept off the plain and vanished, and the pale netted wings were rising to the cheek; and the great bell clanged, and the long sweet chord rang out—not more than whispers heard across the pealing storm of everlasting praise

and once more

Then this world passed, and the glory of it.