________________________________________________
			     
				Title:     Two Rondels 
			    
Author: George MacDonald [
More Titles by MacDonald]		                
			    
I.
When, in the mid-sea of the night,
  I waken at thy call, O Lord,
  The first that troop my bark aboard
Are darksome imps that hate the light,
Whose tongues are arrows, eyes a blight--
  Of wraths and cares a pirate horde--
Though on the mid-sea of the night
  It was thy call that waked me, Lord.
Then I must to my arms and fight--
  Catch up my shield and two-edged sword,
  The words of him who is thy word--
Nor cease till they are put to flight;
Then in the mid-sea of the night
  I turn and listen for thee, Lord.
II.
There comes no voice from thee, O Lord,
  Across the mid-sea of the night!
  I lift my voice and cry with might:
If thou keep silent, soon a horde
Of imps again will swarm aboard,
  And I shall be in sorry plight
If no voice come from thee, my Lord,
Across the mid-sea of the night.
There comes no voice; I hear no word!
  But in my soul dawns something bright:--
  There is no sea, no foe to fight!
Thy heart and mine beat one accord:
I need no voice from thee, O Lord,
  Across the mid-sea of the night.
[The end]
George MacDonald's poem: Two Rondels
			  	________________________________________________
				
                 
		 
                
                GO TO TOP OF SCREEN