But who shall look from Alfred's hood Or breathe his breath alive?His century like a small dark cloudDrifts far; it is an eyeless crowd,Where the tortured trumpets scream aloud And the dense arrows drive.
Lady, by one light only We look from Alfred's eyes,We know he saw athwart the wreckThe sign that hangs about your neck,Where One more than Melchizedek Is dead and never dies.
Therefore I bring these rhymes to you, Who brought the cross to me,Since on you flaming without flawI saw the sign that Guthrum sawWhen he let break his ships of awe, And laid peace on the sea.
Do you remember when we went Under a dragon moon,And 'mid volcanic tints of nightWalked where they fought the unknown fightAnd saw black trees on the battle-height, Black thorn on Ethandune?
xv
