Dirge

Man born of desire Cometh out of the night, A wandering spark of fire, A lonely word of eternal thought Echoing in chance and forgot.

1

He seeth the sun, He calleth the stars by name, He saluteth the flowers.-- Wonders of land and sea, The mountain towers Of ice and air He seeth, and calleth them fair: Then he hideth his face;-- Whence he came to pass away Where all is forgot, Unmade--lost for aye With the things that are not.

2

He striveth to know, To unravel the Mind That veileth in horror: He wills to adore. In wisdom he walketh And loveth his kind; His labouring breath Would keep evermore: Then he hideth his face;-- Whence he came to pass away Where all is forgot, Unmade--lost for aye With the things that are not.

3

He dreameth of beauty, He seeks to create Fairer and fairer To vanquish his Fate; No hindrance he-- No curse will brook, He maketh a law No ill shall be: Then he hideth his face;-- Whence he came to pass away Where all is forgot, Unmade--lost for aye With the things that are not.