The Secret Splendour

That blow upon his face

Struck all his boyhood dim—

But suddenly like a Hash

 The man awoke in him.

His youthful hairless chin

A weathered fortress stood—

Full-grown and fierce and firm,

Bearded with blood.

And in that disrespect

Unto his flesh and bone

He found a foretaste of his body

Completely overthrown,

Crumbled into nothing

By the black boxer Death,

And scorning the clay's fall he knew

A deeper life than breath!

1941

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