And there it was sweet rapture to lie still,

Eyes open on the dark. A flowing health

Bathed him from head to foot and great goodwill

Rose springing in his heart and poured its wealth

Outwards. Then came a hand as if by stealth

Out of the dark and touched his hand: and after

The beating silence budded into laughter:

32

—A low grave laugh and rounded like a pearl,

Mysterious, filled with home. He opened wide