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[225] But now, through weary day and night,
I watch a vague and aimless fight
For leave to strike one blow aright.
On either side my foe they own:
One guards through love his ghastly throne,
And one through fear to reverence grown.
Why wait we longer, mocked, betrayed,
By open foes, or those afraid
To speed thy coming through my aid?
Why watch to see who win or fall?
I shake the dust against them all,
I leave them to their senseless brawl. “
‘Nay,’ Peace implored: “yet longer wait;
The doom is near, the stake is great:
God knoweth if it be too late.
Still wait and watch; the way prepare
Where I with folded wings of prayer
May follow, weaponless and bare. “
‘Too late!’ the stern, sad voice replied,
‘Too late! ’ its mournful echo sighed,
In low lament the answer died.
A rustling as of wings in flight,
An upward gleam of lessening white,
So passed the vision, sound and sight.
Boston and New York, Houghton, Mifflin and company, 1888-89.
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