THE APOSTLE

The preacher said: «My task, it is to take

To men the mystic balsam of a creed,

And in their hearts lust-taken to awake

A fervour above life and above need.

My work: is to outcast the every greed

For beauty, and the chains of love to break,

And the whole field of youth and joy to rake

Clear for the sowing of my holy seed.

I go to preach a doctrine sweet and sad

Of sacrifice and of benevolence:

I turn my back on life, on earthly bliss.

But e'er I go ‑ oh, God, can I be mad? -

Would I could take to that cold life intense

The soul-perturbing memory of a kiss!»