Soon, though they spared us, this blind flesh would fail.

They are saving us the weary mile or two

That end a dusty journey. The dull stains

Of travel; the soiled vesture; the sick heart

That hoped at every turning of the road

To see the Perfect City, and hoped in vain,

Shall grieve us now no more. Now, at the last,

After a stern novitiate, iron test,

And grinding failures, the great light draws near,

And we shall pass together, through the Veil.”