Page:The city of dreadful night - and other poems (IA cityofdreadfulni00thomrich).pdf/46

 Whose blood hath washed our scarlet sins wool-white: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From drinking fiery poison in a den Crowded with tawdry girls and squalid men, Who hoarsely laugh and curse and brawl and fight: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From picturing with all beauty and all grace First Eden and the parents of our race, A luminous rapture unto all men's sight: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From writing a great work with patient plan To justify the ways of God to man, And show how ill must fade and perish quite: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

From desperate fighting with a little band Against the powerful tyrants of our land, To free our brethren in their own despite: I wake from daydreams to this real night.

Thus, challenged by that warder sad and stern, Each one responded with his countersign, Then entered the cathedral; and in turn I entered also, having given mine;