The Unborn

I rose at night, and visited

   The Cave of the Unborn:

And crowding shapes surrounded me

For tidings of the life to be,

Who long had prayed the silent Head

   To haste its advent morn.

Their eyes were lit with artless trust,

   Hope thrilled their every tone;

"A scene the loveliest, is it not?

A pure delight, a beauty-spot

Where all is gentle, true and just,

   And darkness is unknown?"

My heart was anguished for their sake,

   I could not frame a word;

And they descried my sunken face,

And seemed to read therein, and trace

The news that pity would not break,

   Nor truth leave unaverred.

And as I silently retired

   I turned and watched them still,

And they came helter-skelter out,

Driven forward like a rabble rout

Into the world they had so desired

   By the all-immanent Will.

1905.