Page:The Dream of Pythagoras and Other Poems.djvu/39

 Anguish and bliss ennoble: either proves

The greatness of its subject, and expands

Her nature into power; her every pulse

Beats into new-born force, urging her on

To conquering energy. Then was I cast

Into hot fires and flaming furnaces,

Deep in the hollow globe; there did I bum

Deathless in agony, without one murmur,

Longing to die, until my patient soul

Fainted into perfection; at that hour,

Being victorious, I was snatch'd away

To yet another lesson. I became

A date-tree in the desert, to pour out

My life in dumb benevolence, and full

Obedience to each wind of heaven that blew.

The traveller came—I gave him all my shade,

Asking for no reward; the lost bird flew

For shelter to my branches, and I hid

Her nest among my leaves; the sunbeams ask'd

To rest their hot and weary feet awhile

On me, and I spread out my every arm

T ' embrace them, fanning them with all my plumes.

Beneath my shade the dying pilgrim fell,

Praying for water; I cool dewdrops caught