I have looked at them long, br My eyes blur; sourceless light br Keeps them forever young br Before our ageing sight. br br You see them-too strict forms br Of will, the secret dignity br Of our dissolute storms; br They grow too bright to be. br br What were they like? What mark br Can signify their charm? br They never saw the dark; br Rigid, they never knew alarm. br br Do not the scene rehearse! br The perfect eyes enjoin br A contemptuous verse; br We speak the crabbed line. br br Immaculate race! to yield br Us final knowledge set br In a cold frieze, a field br Of war but no blood let. br br Are they quite willing, br Do they ask to pose, br Naked and simple, chilling br The very wind's nose? br br They ask us how to live! br We answer: Again try br Being the drops we sieve.