Behold the man - Behold his brow of care,
He sought to stay the living and the dead
That pass'd like shadows o'er an osier bed
On which form her high cloud-embosomed lair
The sick moon peers - He plucked them by the hair
And bade them stay.  They smiled and passing led
Their ancient way - the living and the dead -
As o'er the sea from love-sick Dido's stair
Passed long ago the wanderer's white sailed ships
Enamoured of the waves' impetuous lips.
He sighing rose and took his way at length
In rage inhuman - He who sought for more
Than all the nations with their famous lore
Of love - alone a sad forsaken strength.

                                                                       WBY
                                                                 March 8th 1884
Behold the Man
Notes on Behold the Man from: 
William Butler Years:  The Unpublished Early Poetry
Under the Moon
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