II.

_First Voices._

Saw ye the stars last night, all still, Remote, and bitter-cold, Who were too passionless to thrill, Being so wise and old?

_Second Voices._

O saw ye not one star alight, A leap of silver fire, Did ye not see it sear the night And die of its own desire?

_First Voices._

Saw ye the ancient stars look on Locked in a chilly dream Which banished the awakened one Beyond their frozen scheme?

_Second Voices._

O saw ye not the ashen band Fade in the morning-gold, Who long had ceased to understand, Being so bitter-old?

_All the Voices._

Ye petrified on heavenly thrones, Was there not chaos once? Ye did not keep your ordered zones When ye were raging suns!

Once flaming rivers were your breath And the wild hairs of your brow-- Once ye were life, once ye were death! Ye are not either now.

PEACE.