Afternoon

<SPAN name="XI"></SPAN>XI<br/> <br/> <br/> Dawn, shadow, evening, space and stars; what night<br/> Hides in its veils or shows forth mistily,<br/> Add to their exaltation; they who live<br/> In love, live also in eternity.<br/> <br/> No need that reason light its beacon fires<br/> On walls that rear them high above the ground,<br/> Kindling the docks, the harbour and the sea;<br/> For they beyond all ocean's paths are bound.<br/> <br/> They see the light of dawns touch shore on shore,<br/> Beyond and far beyond the black sea's space;<br/> For certitude and trembling hope themselves,<br/> Meeting their ardent gaze, have the same face.<br/> <br/> Joyous and limpid is their hungry faith;<br/> Their soul is the profound and sudden light<br/> Which burns for them on high and heavenly things;<br/> To know the world, within they turn their sight.<br/> <br/> They go by distant paths and live with truths<br/> That bound the far horizon of their eyes,<br/> Simple and naked, deep, and sweet as dawn;<br/> For them alone are songs of paradise.<br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <br/> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />