Canto 57The Iron Dictators
Book 16. Part Seven - Pondicherry Circa 1927 – 1947
Pondicherry, c. 1927–1947
Divine Sense
Surely I take no more an earthly food
But eat the fruits and plants of Paradise!
5For Thou hast changed my sense’s habitude
From mortal pleasure to divine surprise.
Hearing and sight are now an ecstasy,
And all the fragrances of earth disclose
A sweetness matching in intensity
10Odour of the crimson marvel of the rose.
In every contact’s deep invading thrill,
That lasts as if its source were infinite,
I feel Thy touch; Thy bliss imperishable
Is crowded into that moment of delight.
15The body burns with Thy rapture’s sacred fire,
Pure, passionate, holy, virgin of desire.
The Iron Dictators
I looked for Thee alone, but met my glance
The iron dreadful Four who rule our breath,
20Masters of falsehood, Kings of ignorance,
High sovereign Lords of suffering and death.
Whence came these formidable autarchies,
From what inconscient blind Infinity, —
Cold propagandists of a million lies,
25Dictators of a world of agony?
Or was it Thou who bor’st the fourfold mask?
Enveloping Thy timeless heart in Time,
Thou hast bound the spirit to its cosmic task,
To find Thee veiled in this tremendous mime.
30Thou, only Thou, canst raise the invincible siege,
O Light, O deathless Joy, O rapturous Peace!