Page:Songs before sunrise (IA beforesunrisongs00swinrich).pdf/179



Les Misérables. is this that sits by the way, by the wild wayside, In a rent stained raiment, the robe of a cast-off bride, In the dust, in the rainfall sitting, with soiled feet bare, With the night for a garment upon her, with torn wet hair? She is fairer of face than the daughters of men, and her eyes, Worn through with her tears, are deep as the depth of skies.

This is she for whose sake being fallen, for whose abject sake, Earth groans in the blackness of darkness, and men’s hearts break. This is she for whose love, having seen her, the men that were Poured life out as water, and shed their souls upon air.