Chapter 26
The Night Journey by Rupert Brooke RedForLibrivaaks.org by Anusha Iyer Hands and lit faces eddy to a line The day's last minute's click, the clamour dies Beyond the great swung arc of the roof
Divine, night, smoky scarved With thousand-coloured eyes Glares the imperious mystery off the way Thirsty for dark, you feel the long-limbed train Throb, stretch, thrill, motion, slide, pull out and sway
Strain for the far, pause, draw to strength again As a man caught by some great hour will rise Slow-limbed to meet the light or find his love And breathing long, with staring sightless eyes Head out, head back, agape and silent
Move, sure as a flood, smooth as a vast wind blowing And gathering power and purpose as he goes Unstumbling, unreluctant, strong, unknowing Born by a will not his, that lifts, that grows Sweep out to darkness, triumphant in his goal
Out of the fire, out of the little room There is an end appointed, oh my soul Crimson and green, the signals burn The gloom is hung with steam's far-blowing, livid streamers Lost into God, as lights in light we fly
Grown one with will, and drunken huddled dreamers The white lights roar, the sounds of the world die And lips and laughter are forgotten things Speed sharpens, grows, into the night And on, the strength and splendour of our purpose swings
The lamps fade, and the stars, we are alone
