Proem

And the Angel said:
“What hast thou for all thy travail--
what dost thou bring with thee out
of the dust of the world?”

And the man answered:
“Behold, I bring one perfect yesterday!”

And the Angel questioned:
“Hast thou then no to-morrow?
Hast thou no hope?”

And the man replied:
“Who am I that I should hope!
Out of all my life I have been granted one
sheaf of memory.”

And the Angel said:
“Is this all!”

And the man answered:
“Of all else was I robbed by the way:
but Memory was hidden safely
in my heart--the world found it not.”