The Lantern out of Doors
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Sometimes a lantern moves along the night
    That interests our eyes. And who goes there?
    I think; where from and bound, I wonder, where,
With, all down darkness wide, his wading light?

Men go by me whose either beauty bright
    In mould or mind or what not else makes rare:
    They rain against our much thick and marsh air
Rich beams, till death or distance buys them quite.

Death or distance soon consumes them: wind
    What most I may eye after, be in at the end 
I cannot, and out of sight is out of mind.

Christ minds: Christ's interest, what to avow or amend
    There, 'eyes them, heart 'wants, care 'haunts, foot 'follows kind,
Their 'ransom, 'their rescue, 'and first, 'fast, last friend.

1877

 
© Jan Rybicki 2003 unless otherwise stated.