Liber 67 (pdf) - Koyote the Blind
Liber 67 (pdf) - Koyote the Blind
Liber 67 (pdf) - Koyote the Blind
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THE SWORD OF SONG<br />
And slide to leaning on ano<strong>the</strong>r, 660<br />
God, or <strong>the</strong> doctor, or my mo<strong>the</strong>r.<br />
But dare you quote my fevered word<br />
For better than my health averred ?<br />
The brainish fancies of a man<br />
Hovering on delerium’s brink :<br />
Shall <strong>the</strong>se be classed his utmost span ? 666<br />
All that he can or ought to think ?<br />
No ! <strong>the</strong> strong man and self-reliant<br />
Is <strong>the</strong> true spiritual giant.<br />
I blame no weaklings, but decline <strong>67</strong>0<br />
To take <strong>the</strong>ir maunderings for mine.<br />
Poem does not<br />
treat of Palæontology<br />
: nor<br />
of poet’s youth :<br />
nor of Christian<br />
infamies. Poet<br />
forced to mystic<br />
position.<br />
You see I do not base my <strong>the</strong>sis<br />
On your Book’s being torn to pieces<br />
By knowledge : nor invoke <strong>the</strong> shade<br />
Of my own boyhood’s agony. <strong>67</strong>5<br />
Soul, shudder not ! Advance <strong>the</strong> blade<br />
Of fearless fact and probe <strong>the</strong> scar !<br />
You know my first-class memory ?<br />
Well, in my life two years <strong>the</strong>re are<br />
Twelve years back—not so very far ! 680<br />
Two years whereof no memory stays.<br />
One ageless anguish filled my days<br />
So that no item, like a star<br />
Sole in <strong>the</strong> supreme night, above<br />
Stands up for hope, or joy, or love. 685<br />
Nay, not one ignis fatuus glides<br />
Sole in that marsh, one agony<br />
To make <strong>the</strong> rest look light. Abides<br />
The thick sepulchral changeless shape<br />
Shapeless, continuous misery 690<br />
Whereof no smoke-wreaths might escape<br />
To show me whi<strong>the</strong>r lay <strong>the</strong> end,<br />
Whence <strong>the</strong> beginning. All is black,<br />
Void of all cause, all aim ; unkenned,<br />
As if I had been dead indeed— 695<br />
All in Christ’s name ! And I look back,<br />
And <strong>the</strong>n and long time after lack<br />
Courage or strength to hurl <strong>the</strong> creed<br />
Down to <strong>the</strong> heaven it sprang from ! No !<br />
Not this inspires <strong>the</strong> indignant blow 700<br />
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