Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1918.djvu/882

 D

��LORD TENNYSON

777 St. Agnes' Eve

EEP on the convent-roof the snows

Are sparkling to the moon: My breath to heaven like vapour goes:

May my soul follow soon ' The shadows of the convent-towers

Slant down the snowy sward, Still creeping with the creeping hours

That lead me to my Lord Make Thou my spirit pure and clear

As are the frosty skies, Or this first snowdrop of the year

That in my bosom lies.

As these white robes are soil'd and dark,

To yonder shining ground; As this pale taper's earthly spark,

To yonder argent round; So shows my soul before the Lamb,

My spirit before Thee; So in mine earthly house I am,

To that I hope to be. Break up the heavens, O Lord' and far,

Thro' all yon starlight keen, Draw me, thy bride, a glittering star,

In raiment white and clean.

He lifts me to the golden doors;

The flashes come and go; All heaven bursts her starry floors,

And strows her lights below,

�� �