Poem by Helen Gray Cone

A Mystery

That sunless day no living shadow swept
Across the hills, fleet shadow chasing light,
Twin of the sailing cloud: but, mists wool white,
Slow-stealing mists, on those heaved shoulders crept,
And wrought about the strong hills while they slept
In witches' wise, and rapt their forms from sight.
Dreams were they; less than dream, the noblest height
And farthest; and the chilly woodland wept.

     A sunless day and sad: yet all the while
Within the grave green twilight of the wood,
inscrutable, immutable, apart,
Hearkening the brook, whose song she understood,
The secret birch-tree kept her silver smile,
Strange as the peace that gleams at sorrow's heart.

1. The Torch-Race
2. Ivo of Chartres
3. The Glorious Company
4. The Gifts of the Oak
5. The Spring Beauties

Philip Bailey A Mystery ("Friend! many a year hath passed")

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