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