The Hour of the King

Portrait of George William Russell
George William Russell 1867–1935
55Collected Poems by A.E.

WHO would think this quiet breather From the world had taken flight? Yet within the form we see there Wakes the Golden King to-night.

Out upon the face of faces He looked forth before his sleep: Now he knows the starry races Haunters of the ancient deep.

On the Bird of Diamond Glory Floats in mystic floods of song: As he lists Time’s triple story Seems but as a day is long.

From the mightier Adam falling To his image dwarfed in clay, He will at our voices calling Come to this side of the day.

When he wakes, the dreamy-hearted, He will know not whence he came, And the light from which he parted Be the seraph’s sword of flame,

And behind it hosts supernal Guarding the lost paradise, And the tree of life eternal From the weeping human eyes.

Keep reading

Discover more of George William Russell’s poetry.

Explore all poems

Readers

Reader discussion

Your turn

Shown with your comment.

Never published. Only so we can reach you.

Comments are read before they appear. See our terms.