Saint Anthony of Italy

Mine eyes were blind with splendours; I have stood too long
in the sun.

The heat and the light and the laurels, in the days when the
world was one,

And merry where all was ancient and careless where all was
known,

We dwelt in the gay glass houses that beckon the booby's
stone.

The force of the foolish peoples, that herd, that follow a
king,

On the light-winged thought came crashing with the weight
of a thoughtless thing

And the Virgins, the high Republics, that were wed to the
Vision and free,

Imperial clowns took captive, holding in harlotry

Lady of lilies in heaven, thy lilies on earth burn red,

We built and the wide world ruined; we wove and they rent
the thread;

We carved and the whole world shattered; we bound and
the world disbands.

In the day I arise for requital - hold thou mine hands.