A World Ends

And they would strut around the fire Then sat upon their stools, And argued long, in learned terms, Who wore the better jewels! But then there was a man about Who none had seen before, And though he wore a gentle face, They felt a gentle horror. For he did not dance around the fire Or strut about like fools, Nor did he argue who it was That wore the better jewels. And then there was a sudden fright As when a spirit calls: For he did not stand within the crowd But stood within the walls! And as he moved within the walls A warmer air was felt, And with a sort of sinking dread, The walls began to melt. They offered him their rubies And diamonds from their hair, They offered him the wedding bands Of women young and fair. They offered him the peerage, They vowed to make him king, They offered him the chilly duke And any other thing. For all of this, he did not care, He took the world unaware With silver lightning in his hair.