_He suddenly_, the page read as it turned, _Died_. The indignant eye discerned No sense. “Good page, turn back,” it cried (Happily evermore was cheated). _After these things he suddenly died_, The truthful page repeated. “Turn back yon earlier pages, nine or ten, To _Him she loved_ and _He alone of men_. Now change the sentence, page!” But still it read _He suddenly died: they scarce had time to kiss_. “Read on, ungentle reader,” the book said, “Resign your hopes to this.” The eye could not resign, restless in grief, But darting forward to a later leaf Found _Him she loved_ and _He alone of men_. Oh, who this He was, being a second He Confused the plan; the book spoke sternly then, “Read page by page and see!” THE MANIFESTATION IN THE TEMPLE On the High Feast Day in that reverent space Between the Sacrifice and the word of Grace, I, come to town with a merry-making throng To pay my tithes and join in the season’s song, Closing my eyes, there prayed--and was hurried far Beyond what ages I know not, or what star, To a land of thought remote from the breastplate glint And the white bull’s blood that flows from the knife of flint, Then, in this movement, being not I but part In the fellowship of the universal heart, 10 I sucked a strength from the primal fount of strength, I thought and worked omnipotence. At length Hit in my high flight by some sorry thought Back to the sweat of the soil-bound I was caught And asked in pique what enemy had worked this, What folly or anger thrust against my bliss? Then I grew aware of the savour of sandal-wood With noise of a distant fluting, and one who stood Nudging my elbow breathed “Oh, miracle! See!” The folk gape wonder, urge tumultuously, 20 They fling them down on their faces every one, Some joyfully weep, others for anguish moan. Lo, the tall gilt image of God at the altar niche Wavers and stirs, we see his raiment twitch. Now he stands and signs benediction with his rod. The courtyard quakes, the fountains gush with blood. The whistling scurry and throb of spirit wings Distresses man and child. Now a bird-voice sings, And a loud throat bellows, that every creature hears, A sign to himself he must lay aside his fears. 30 It babbles an antique tongue, and threatening, pleads Prompt sacrifice and a care for priestly needs, Wholeness of heart, the putting away of wrath, A generous measure for wine, for oil, for cloth, A holding fast to the law that the Stones ordain, And the rites of the Temple watch that ye maintain Lest fire and ashes down from the mountain rain!