Steel clashed on steel! Together warred Comrades of old in that fell place! My God and I met at the ford. One moment's thrust and He had scored; I of His mercy pleaded grace: God smiled on me and dropped His sword! ON THE WIDE, WHITE ROAD _The Question:_ Minstrel with a song On the wide, white road-- Loafing with the lilies of the June-- What makes you so strong Underneath your load, Lilting such a joyous little tune? Tell me, little brother, What I want to know-- Why your lips are tremulous with joy-- Why you, like a mother, Soothe and love me so, As she used to when I was a boy. All the way behind Fades into a dream Hideous with faces in the gloom; Phantom-terrors blind With a lurid gleam Glowing from Gehenna-gulfs of doom! _The Answer:_ Comrade, I will tell you How I laugh and sing, Loafing with the lilies by the way. Comrade, what befell you That you missed the King Crowned with purple pansies of the day? Brother, Him I know-- Lord of earth and star-- Find Him with the ferns beside the pool; All the splendours grow Dim and fade afar, When He walks at shut of day and cool. Fear not to address Him-- Cosmic-Comrade He-- Lonely for the love He wants from you! Up at once and bless Him-- Lift a jubilee With the host of loyal hearts and true! THAT ONE SHOULD LOVE ME That one should love me is enough, Be my path smooth or be it rough; Though on my head no splendours shine, Love crowns me with the victor-vine. If on my ears no plaudits fall Proclaiming me from stall to stall, Behind the scenes I wait my turn, Who saw two eyes with longing burn. Somewhere within that audience Gleamed golden Love's magnificence; I stood triumphant for a space Held by the rapture on one face. Out of the discord of to-day, Hark how the well-tuned harp-strings play! Peace, O my Soul! One song is true, Though thunder-clouds conceal the blue. Down in the lowest deep of hell One word of love upon me fell; Forthwith my flame-scarred face was bold, Uplifted to a gate of gold. Upon my path a phantom form Threatened with terror as of storm, Smote me with lightning; I was strong, Hearing the cadence of a song. A while within an awful wood, Uncertain of the path I stood; A shout of laughter from a tree Where lurked a devil, frightened me. Then there was whispering of leaves, Soft as of swallows under eaves: "I love you, love you!" Lo! a light Sundered the murkiness of night. Three times I fell, three times I rose To face the menacing of foes-- What gave me strength again to stand? Out of the dark I felt a hand! Out of the dark and dread of death, Upon my brow I felt a breath; And by the brink of that abyss The consolation of a kiss. Past many moors of pain I trod Impeded by the clinging clod, Until within one waking morn Love in response to love was born.