Explore "Prayer" by Hilda Doolittle on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
White, O white face -- / from disenchanted days / wither alike dark rose / and fiery bays: / no gift within our hands, / nor strength to praise, / only defeat and silence; / though we lift hands, disenchanted, / of small strength, nor raise / branch of the laurel / or the light of torch, / but fold the garment / on the riven locks, / yet hear, all-merciful, and touch / the fore-head, dim, unlit of pride and thought, / Mistress -- be near! / Give back the glamour to our will, / the thought; give back the tool, / the chisel; once we wrought / things not unworthy, / sandal and steel-clasp; / silver and steel, the coat / with white leaf-pattern / at the arm and throat: / silver and metal, hammered for the ridge / of shield and helmet-rim; / white silver with the dark hammered in, / belt, staff and magic spear-shaft / with the gilt spark at the point and hilt.