Page:Wessex poems and other verses (IA wessexpoemsother00hard).pdf/157

 I glanced aloft and halted, pleasure-caught To see the contrast there: The ray-lit clouds gleamed glory; and I thought, "There's solace everywhere!"

Then bitter self-reproaches as I stood I dealt me silently As one perverse—misrepresenting Good In graceless mutiny.

Against the horizon's dim-discerned wheel A form rose, strange of mould: That he was hideous, hopeless, I could feel Rather than could behold.

"'Tis a dead spot, where even the light lies spent To darkness!" croaked the Thing. "Not if you look aloft!" said I, intent On my new reasoning.