THE LOFTY building lies in the dust and all is scattered and broken.

Mind looked about. But what was there to see?

Only the morning star and the lily washed in dew.

And what else? A child running laughing from its mother's arms into the open light.

'Was it only for this that they said it was the day of the Coming?'

'Yes, this was why they said there was music in the air and light in the sky.'

'And did they claim all the earth only for this?'

'Yes,' came the answer. 'Mind, you build walls to imprison yourself.

Your servants toil to enslave themselves; but the whole earth and infinite space are for the child, for the New Life.'

'What does that child bring you?'

'Hope for all the world and its joy.'

Mind asked me, 'Poet, do you understand?'

I lay my work aside,' I said, 'for I must have time to understand.'