Chapter XXX: Gale’d

Jacob and Laban for their love’s great need
A stone tower built—as Hebrew scholars know—
To mark the ending of a grievous woe,
Upon stone then set stone, crying—“Godspeed!”
Finished, they prayed: “Be this now called _Gale’d_!
Past it let each to other never go
With thought of anger, grief, suspicion, woe,
For peace must rest upon the tower _Gale’d_.”

Thus to us be, O Love! this crimson room
So rich with curtains of an orient bloom
Which sun-pale women wrought, dreaming of men
Who’d rush to meet them with the dusk again;
Whene’er we enter here let sad thoughts be
Deep buried in our love’s immensity.