1 We had nothing to fear from them.
2 Fear walks through the City, fear without name, without shape.
3 Fear walks through the City, fear without name, without shape.
4 But we feel no burden upon our spirit and no fear in our heart.
5 We stood still; for the first time did we know fear, and then pain.
6 This is our wonder and our secret fear, that we know and do not resist.
7 And yet it stirs no fear within our heart, but only silent reverence and pity.
8 And a word steals into our mind, as we look upon our brothers, and that word is fear.
9 There is fear hanging in the air of the sleeping halls, and in the air of the streets.
10 Their eyes were dark and hard and glowing, with no fear in them, no kindness and no guilt.
11 For all must agree with all, and they cannot know if their thoughts are the thoughts of all, and so they fear to speak.
12 And we thought that we could trust this being who looked upon us from the stream, and that we had nothing to fear with this being.
13 Men never enter the Uncharted Forest, for there is no power to explore it and no path to lead among its ancient trees which stand as guards of fearful secrets.
14 Their white tunic was torn, and the branches had cut the skin of their arms, but they spoke as if they had never taken notice of it, nor of weariness, nor of fear.