The Return

See, they return; ah, see the tentative
     Movements, and the slow feet,
     The trouble in the pace and the uncertain
     Wavering!

See, they return, one, and by one,
With fear, as half-awakened;
As if the snow should hesitate
And murmur¹ in the wind,
          and half turn back;
These were the "Wing'd-with-Awe,"
          Inviolable.

Gods of the wingèd shoe!
With them the silver hounds,
          sniffing² the trace of air!

Haie! Haie!
     These were the swift to harry;
These the keen-scented;
These were the souls of blood.

Slow on the leash,
          pallid³ the leash-men!