Straight to his death he went, <br />A smile on his lips, <br />All his life's joy unspent, <br />Into eclipse. <br /> <br />The song of the shell he heard <br />Cleaving the dark, <br />As though 'twere the song of a bird, <br />Linnet or lark. <br /> <br /> <br />Why would he go so fast <br />Out to the dead, <br />All in a heavenly haste <br />Not to be stayed? <br /> <br />What did he see afar <br />That drew him after? <br />Light from a merry star, <br />Singing and laughter? <br /> <br />Nay, but a face was his <br />Only in dreams, <br />Only in dreams of bliss <br />In the star-gleams. <br /> <br />Nay, but a face that watched <br />Long years to see <br />Who came by the door unlatched, <br />If it were he. <br /> <br />What was the voice before <br />That lured him on? <br />'Oh, thou long-hungered for, <br />My son, my son!' <br /> <br />Lo, he hath heard, hath seen, <br />He hath slipped over <br />Where the great days begin <br />For friend and lover.<br /><br />Katharine Tynan<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-summons-4/
