Page:The roamer and other poems (1920).djvu/78

68 Not unto us the issue of our words

Loosed from our lips in this chaotic world!"

And ere he ceased a voice rang hard behind:

"Ho, Reginald!" confusèd words he spoke,

Who seemed to front the stars with lifted hand,

Absorbed in passion, towering with rage,

And strode away; and Reginald shuddering turned:

"Cursed are they who deify the Curse;

But let us hence; too many such as these

Come hither, passing through the night. And thou,

Wide-wanderer, wherefore hast thou ventured here?"

"Serving the Christ," he said, "I seek the lost,

Who noble were, memory and hope my guides,

Through ways I know not of, obeying God."

"Who names the Christ?" another cried aloud,

Out of the shadows starting; "on earth 't was said,

He sent a sword, not peace. I was his Scourge;

Where is the hand that used me?" and he fled.

And Reginald rose, and drew them both away,

And Victor silent on the left side came;

"Not all are noble here," the leader said;

"Thousands there are who haunt the region's base;"

And moving on, "'t is best to look on them

From far, nor mingle with that multitude;"

And soon he brought them to a low-browed ridge.