[BNP/E3, 78 – 43]

F.

The Apostle.

The preacher said: “My task, it is to take

To men the mystic balsam of a creed,

And in their hearts lust-taken to awake

A fervour above life and above need.

My work is to outcast the very greed

For beauty, and the chains of love to break,

And the whole field of youth and joy to rake

Clear for the sowing of mine holy seed.

I go to preach a doctrine sweet and sad

Of sacrifice and of benevolence;

I turn my back on life and local bliss.

But e'er I go ‑ oh, God, can I be mad?[1] -

Would I could take to that cold life intense

The soul-perturbing memory of a kiss!”

Alexander Search.

 19^th June 1907.

[1] go ‑ oh, God, can I be mad? ^{/purpose void and mad!\}