Chapter XIV

So that night we went.
And, all the way, my gay guide rail’d at me.
“Aha, my bachelor, your roving love,
Aha, has had its day! Yon sunset hues
But deck the curtains hung before its night.”

“Alas,” I cried, “if I must through them pass,
Woe me who wish it! See, in front of them,
The river in the horizon underneath—”
“Your Jordan, ere your promis’d land!” she said;
“You need baptizing for your harden’d heart.”

“Ah me!” I sigh’d, yet strangely; for there seem’d,
While all the way the twilight thicker sank,
Sweet silence luring dreamward wind and bird
Until the reverent air lay hush’d where came
The hallowing influence of holier stars.
And, all the way, deep folding round my soul,
With every nerve vibrating at its touch,
Fell dim delight, through which, as through a veil,
Some nearer presence breath’d of holier life.
Ah, wandering Heart, and had I had my day?—
With closing gates as golden as yon west?
And whither was I moving in the dark?—
“Who knows?” my spirit ask’d, “who knows or cares?
On through the twilight threshold, trustingly!
What halt thou, Night, that weary souls need fear?
Thou home of love entranced, thou haunt of dreams,
Thy halls alone can hoard the truth of heaven!
Thy dome alone can rise to reach the stars!”