Religion

The Magi

by W. B. Yeats 1865–1939

From Responsibilities (1914)

ReligionHistory & Politics

Now as at all times I can see in the mind's eye,
In their stiff, painted clothes, the pale unsatisfied ones
Appear and disappear in the blue depth of the sky
With all their ancient faces like rain-beaten stones,
And all their helms of silver hovering side by side,
And all their eyes still fixed, hoping to find once more,
Being by Calvary's turbulence unsatisfied,
The uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor.

✦ ✦ ✦

Eight lines picturing the Magi, 'in their stiff, painted clothes', who still come looking for 'the uncontrollable mystery on the bestial floor'.

MLA

Yeats, W. B. “The Magi.” Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/yeats/32/.

Chicago

Yeats, W. B. “The Magi.” Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/yeats/32/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

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