Walter Murdoch (1874–1970). The Oxford Book of Australasian Verse. 1918.

90. Duality

WHO gave thee such a ruby flaming heart

And such a pure cold spirit? Side by side

I know these must eternally abide

In intimate war, and each to each impart

Life from its pain, in every joy a dart

To wound with grief or death the self allied.

Red life within the spirit crucified,

The eyes eternal pity thee: thou art

Fated with deathless powers at war to be,

Not less the martyr of the world than he

Whose thorn-crowned brow usurps the due of tears

We would pay to thee, ever ruddy life,

Whose passionate peace is still to be at strife,

O’erthrown but in the unconflicting spheres.