Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 5
Areyounotwearyofardentways,
Lureofthefallenseraphim?
Tellnomoreofenchanteddays.
Youreyeshavesetman’sheartablaze
Andyouhavehadyourwillofhim.
Areyounotwearyofardentways?
Abovetheflamethesmokeofpraise
Goesupfromoceanrimtorim.
Tellnomoreofenchanteddays.
Ourbrokencriesandmournfullays
Riseinoneeucharistichymn.
Areyounotwearyofardentways?
Whilesacrificinghandsupraise
Thechaliceflowingtothebrim.
Tellnomoreofenchanteddays.
Andstillyouholdourlonginggaze
Withlanguorouslookandlavishlimb!
Areyounotwearyofardentways?
Tellnomoreofenchanteddays.
Whatbirdswerethey?Hestoodonthestepsofthelibrarytolookatthem,leaningwearilyonhisashplant.TheyflewroundandroundthejuttingshoulderofahouseinMolesworthStreet.TheairofthelateMarcheveningmadecleartheirflight,theirdarkquiveringbodiesflyingclearlyagainsttheskyasagainstalimp-hungclothofsmokytenuousblue.
Hewatchedtheirflight;birdafterbird:adarkflash,aswerve,aflutterofwings.
