Lifted sad eyes to the clouds and said,
"It was but a dream and the dream is sped.

"We dreamed of a star that rose new and fair,
But it sets in the night of the old despair.

"Yet night is faithful though stars betray,
It will lead to our kingdoms far away."

Then spake the king who had fared alone
From the far-off kingdom, the white-hung throne:

"O brothers, brothers, so very far
Ye have followed the light of the radiant star,

"And because for a while ye see it not
Shall its faithful shining be all forgot?

"On the spirit's pathway the light still lies
Though the star be hid from our longing eyes.

"To-morrow our star will be bright once more
The little pin-hole in heaven's floor--

"The Angels pricked it to let it bring
Our feet to the throne of the new-born King!"

And the first king heard and the second heard
And their hearts grew humble before the third.