Michael Villiers, Idealist And Other Poems. By E. H. Hickey |
 |
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. | XI |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
 |
 | Michael Villiers, Idealist |  |
70
XI
Lo, if a man should hear all night in dreams
Music resolving discords of the day
Into the very soul of harmony;
Behold, 'neath folded lids, the golden sheen
Of a great light wherein is blessedness;
Would he not sometimes long, of day-work tired,
For the fair blisses which the night would bring?
Would he be grieved for shadows lengthening out
Or sigh at dropping of the evening dews?
Music resolving discords of the day
Into the very soul of harmony;
Behold, 'neath folded lids, the golden sheen
Of a great light wherein is blessedness;
Would he not sometimes long, of day-work tired,
For the fair blisses which the night would bring?
Would he be grieved for shadows lengthening out
Or sigh at dropping of the evening dews?
But if a man have heard when broad awake
An inexpressive perfect harmony,
And seen with open eyes the rose-red grow
Into the glory and radiance of the dawn,
Will not all things henceforth be changed for him?
Swift-souled, unhurried, will he not pass on
Till day be at the zenith, and the light,
God's fiery chariot, lift him higher yet
Into a farther heaven, beyond the sun's?
What does he reck of glory or of shame?
What does he care though men should give or grudge
Love and belief which are his due and meed?
Only his soul cries out for men to go
Up to the hills, and see the risen sun:
Only he yearneth sore for men to pluck
The stopping from their ears, and hear the sound
God utters, not for one but all to hear.
Onward and onward yet, with soul that heeds
Nor pain nor death nor hell, so he but prove
Steadfast and faithful to the end, he goes
In love whose yearning passion lends it strength.
An inexpressive perfect harmony,
And seen with open eyes the rose-red grow
Into the glory and radiance of the dawn,
Will not all things henceforth be changed for him?
Swift-souled, unhurried, will he not pass on
Till day be at the zenith, and the light,
God's fiery chariot, lift him higher yet
71
What does he reck of glory or of shame?
What does he care though men should give or grudge
Love and belief which are his due and meed?
Only his soul cries out for men to go
Up to the hills, and see the risen sun:
Only he yearneth sore for men to pluck
The stopping from their ears, and hear the sound
God utters, not for one but all to hear.
Onward and onward yet, with soul that heeds
Nor pain nor death nor hell, so he but prove
Steadfast and faithful to the end, he goes
In love whose yearning passion lends it strength.
O cedar-tree, thou hast heard the voice of God,
And hast not broken 'neath the mighty stress!
And hast not broken 'neath the mighty stress!
| Michael Villiers, Idealist | |