Page:Poems, Volume 2, Coates, 1916.djvu/149



VERMORE I hear my name,

Blared upon the cruel street,

Echoed in my close retreat,

Breathing fame, and branding shame:

Evermore it mocks my dream.

Though I wear the purple fine—

All the pomp of Palestine—

Ravens over Gaza scream:

"Delilah!"

And when most I should be gay

For my triumph,—lo! my sight

Darkens in another's night,

And accusing voices say:

Guile may lightly vanquish odds;

But though mortals pay the price

And accept the sacrifice,

Treason's hateful to the gods,

Delilah!"

Samson!—bowing reverent knee

Unto Israel's God and thine—