The Gate

Item

The Gate

MUSING alone beside my midnight fire
On some old tale of bygone chivalry,
I heard upon the wind's unending sigh
The muffled feet of many thousand years.
I saw them pass, grey-cloaked and travel-stained.
Toward a crystal gate beyond the stars.
He that is called the Builder came to me
And took me by the hand, and then he spake:
" This is the Gate through which the years must pass
To be absolved from the Eternal Curse
And lay aside their shabby cloak of sin.
Brave men have brought their strength and gentleness,
Children have brought their laughter, women tears
For stones to build the Crystal Gate—and thou?"

Title: The Gate
Identifier: greatwar_moresongs2025

Item sets: More Songs By the Fighting Men

Media: <html xmlns:tei="http://www.tei-c.org/ns/1.0"><body><h1 align="" class="head">The Gate</h1><div class="stanza">MUSING alone beside my midnight fireOn some old tale of bygone chivalry,I heard upon the wind's unending sighThe muffled feet of many thousand years.I saw them pass, grey-cloaked and travel-stained.Toward a crystal gate beyond the stars.He that is called the Builder came to meAnd took me by the hand, and then he spake:" This is the Gate through which the years must passTo be absolved from the Eternal CurseAnd lay aside their shabby cloak of sin.Brave men have brought their strength and gentleness,Children have brought their laughter, women tearsFor stones to build the Crystal Gate—and thou?"</div></body></html>