Lifting Of The Mist

<SPAN name="startofbook"></SPAN> <h3 id="id00614" style="margin-top: 3em">THE LIFTING OF THE MIST</h3> <p id="id00615" style="margin-top: 2em">All the long day the vapours played<br/> At blindfold in the city streets,<br/> Their elfin fingers caught and stayed<br/> The sunbeams, as they wound their sheets<br/> Into a filmy barricade<br/> 'Twixt earth and where the sunlight beats.<br/></p> <p id="id00616">A vagrant band of mischiefs these,<br/> With wings of grey and cobweb gown;<br/> They live along the edge of seas,<br/> And creeping out on foot of down,<br/> They chase and frolic, frisk and tease<br/> At blind-man's buff with all the town.<br/></p> <p id="id00617">And when at eventide the sun<br/> Breaks with a glory through their grey,<br/> The vapour-fairies, one by one,<br/> Outspread their wings and float away<br/> In clouds of colouring, that run<br/> Wine-like along the rim of day.<br/></p> <p id="id00618">Athwart the beauty and the breast<br/> Of purpling airs they twirl and twist,<br/> Then float away to some far rest,<br/> Leaving the skies all colour-kiss't—<br/> A glorious and a golden West<br/> That greets the Lifting of the Mist.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />