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John Shaw Neilson

Schoolgirls Hastening

Fear it has faded and the night:
The bells all peal the hour of nine:
The schoolgirls hastening through the light
Touch the unknowable Divine.
 
What leavening in my heart would bide!
 Full dreams a thousand deep are there:
All luminants succumb beside
 The unbound melody of hair.
 
Joy the long timorous takes the flute:
 Valiant with colour songs are born:
Love the impatient absolute
 Lives as a Saviour in the morn
 
Get thou behind me Shadow-Death!
 Oh ye Eternities delay!
Morning is with me and the breath
 Of schoolgirls hastening down the way.

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