One night alone

One night alone in moonlight shine,

One fragment of time unending,

One little thought above the rest,

One blood its life-call sending.

Drink, oh drink, thou living god,

Drink death to this son:

He lives but once in guise of man,

Retires - duty done.

One moment spilt on earth's flint face,

One song of songs unending,

One spark of lust for honour's grace,

One hope onward wending.

Drink, oh man, to moments past,

Drink death to all men:

Little curtains deftly cast

Before the sound of Amen.

21/4/40