XV + 

Dungeon Grates + 

So piteously the lonely soul of man + 

Shudders before this universal plan, + 

So grievous is the burden and the pain + 

So heavy weighs the long, material chain + 

From cause to cause, too merciless for hate, + 

The nightmare march of unrelenting fate, + 

I think that he must die thereof unless + 

Ever and again across the dreariness + 

There came a sudden glimpse of spirit faces, + 

A fragrant breath to tell of flowery places + 

And wider oceans, breaking on the shore + 

From which the hearts of men are always sore. + 

It lies beyond endeavour; neither prayer + 

Nor fasting, nor much wisdom winneth there, + 

Seeing how many prophets and wise men + 

Have sought for it and still returned again + 

With hope undone. But only the strange power + 

Of unsought Beauty in some casual hour + 

Can build a bridge of light or sound or form + 

To lead you out of all this strife and storm; + 

When of some beauty we are grown a part + 

Till from its very glory’s midmost heart + 

Out leaps a sudden beam of larger light + 

Into our souls. All things are seen aright + 

Amid the blinding pillar of its gold, + 

Seven times more true than what for truth we hold + 

In vulgar hours. The miracle is done + 

And for one little moment we are one + 

With the eternal stream of loveliness + 

That flows so calm, aloft from all distress + 

Yet leaps and lives around us as a fire + 

Making us faint with overstrong desire + 

To sport and swim for ever in its deep⁠— + 

Only a moment. + 

O! but we shall keep + 

Our vision still. One moment was enough, + 

We know we are not made of mortal stuff. + 

And we can bear all trials that come after, + 

The hate of men and the fool’s loud bestial laughter + 

And Nature’s rule and cruelties unclean, + 

For we have seen the Glory⁠—we have seen. + 