I rose at night and visited br The Cave of the Unborn, br And crowding shapes surrounded me br For tidings of the life to be, br Who long had prayed the silent Head br To speed their advent morn. br br Their eyes were lit with artless trust; br Hope thrilled their every tone: br "A place the loveliest, is it not? br A pure delight, a beauty-spot br Where all is gentle, pure and just br And ??violence?? is unknown?" br br My heart was anguished for their sake; br I could not frame a word; br But they descried my sunken face br And seemed to read therein, and trace br The news which Pity would not break br Nor Truth leave unaverred. br br And as I silently retired br I turned and watched them still: br And they came helter-skelter out, br Driven forward like a rabble rout br Into the world they had so desired, br By the all-immanent Will.