Proem

                            PROEM
               And the Angel said:
                  "What hast thou for all thy travail--
                  what dost thou bring with thee out
                  of the dust of the world?"



               And the man answered:
                  "Behold, I bring one perfect yesterday!"
               And the Angel questioned:
                  "Hast thou then no to-morrow?
                  Hast thou no hope?"
               And the man replied:
                  "Who am I that I should hope!
                  Out of all my life I have been granted one
                  sheaf of memory."
               And the Angel said:
                  "Is this all!"
               And the man answered:
                  "Of all else was I robbed by the way:
                  but Memory was hidden safely
                  in my heart--the world found it not."