6 
AMBERGRIS 
 
 
 
 
FROM SONGS OF THE SPIRIT 
 
The Goad 
 
αν υγρον αμπταιην 
αιθερα πορσω γαιας Ελλανιας 
αστερας εσπερους 
οιον, οιον αλγος επαθον, φιλαι 
EURIPIDES. 
 
 
Amsterdam, December 23rd, 1897. 
 
Let me pass out beyond the city gate. 
All day I loitered in the little streets 
Of black worn houses tottering, like the fate 
That hangs above my head even now, and meets 
Prayer and defiance as not hearing it. 
They lean, these old black streets !  a little sky 
Peeps through the gap, the rough stone path is lit 
Just for a little by the sun, and I 
Watch his red face pass over, fade away 
To other streets, and other passengers, 
See him take pleasure where the heathen pray, 
See him relieve the hunter of his furs, 
All the wide world awaiting him, all folk 
Glad at his coming, only I must weep : 
Rise he or sink, my weary eyes invoke 
Only the respite of a little sleep ; 
Sleep, just a little space of sleep, to rest 
The fevered head and cool the aching eyes ; 
Sleep for a space, to fall upon the breast 
Of the dear God, that He may sympathise. 
Long has the day drawn out ;  a bitter frost 
Sparkles along the streets ;  the shipping heaves 
With the slow murmur of the sea, half lost