The Imperative

Whether we lose the light Of love or of the sun, With body and blood and mind and might Must this sole thing be done:

The world is a broken ball, Stained red because it fell Out of bounds, in a game of kings, Over the wall of hell:

And now must the spirit of man Arise and adventure all-- Leap the wall sheer down into hell And bring up the broken ball.

Worth well, to lose the light Of love or of the sun, Worth endless fire or endless night, So this sole thing were done!