Page:The city of dreadful night - and other poems (IA cityofdreadfulni00thomrich).pdf/54

 Infections of unutterable sadness, Infections of incalculable madness, Infections of incurable despair.

Our shadowy congregation rested still, As musing on that message we had heard And brooding on that "End it when you will;" Perchance awaiting yet some other word; When keen as lightning through a muffled sky Sprang forth a shrill and lamentable cry:—

The man speaks sooth, alas! the man speaks sooth: We have no personal life beyond the grave; There is no God; Fate knows nor wrath nor ruth: Can I find here the comfort which I crave?

In all eternity I had one chance, One few years' term of gracious human life: The splendours of the intellect's advance, The sweetness of the home with babes and wife;

The social pleasures with their genial wit; The fascination of the worlds of art, The glories of the worlds of nature, lit By large imagination's glowing heart;