44 
AMBERGRIS 
Made luminous with light of power. 
I seal each æon’s period, 
And wait the moment and the hours. 
 
Aloof, alone, unloved, I stand 
With love and worship in my hand. 
I commune with the Gods :  I wait 
Their summons, and I fire the brand 
I speak their Word :  and there is Fate. 
 
I know no happiness, no pain, 
No swift emotion, no disdain, 
No pits :  but the boundless light 
Of the Eternal Love, unslain, 
Flows through me to redeem the night. 
 
Mine is a sad slow life :  but I, 
I would not gain release, and die 
A moment ere my task be done. 
To falter now were treachery— 
I should not dare to greet the sun ! 
 
Yet, in one hour I dare not hope, 
The mighty gate of Life May ope, 
And call me upwards to unite 
(Even my soul within the scope) 
With That Unutterable Light. 
 
Steady of purpose, girt with Truth, 
I pass, in my eternal youth, 
And watch the centuries wax and wane : 
Untouched by Time’s corroding tooth, 
Silent, immortal, unprofane ! 
 
My empire changes not with time. 
Men’s kingdoms caldent as a rime 
Move me as waves that rise and fall. 
They are the parts, that crash or climb ; 
I only comprehend the All.