Classic Poem

On uplands bleak and bare to wind
Beneath a maze of stars one strode.
Phantoms of fear haunted the road,
Mocking my footsteps close behind.

Till Heaven blew clear of cloud, showed each
Most tiny baby-star as fine
As any king's jewel, Orion
Triumphed through tracery of beech.

So unafraid the tramp went on
Past dusky rut and pool alight,
With Heaven's chief wonder of night,
Jupiter close companion.

And in no mood of pride, courteous,
Light-hearted as with a king's friend
He went with me till journey's end
His courtiers Mars and Regulus.

My door reached, gladly had I paid
With stammered thanks his courtesy,
And theirs, but ne'er a star could see
Of all Heaven's ordered cavalcade.
Pools inky-black, unbottomed shade . . .
Fine snow drove west and blinded me.