University of Virginia Library

XXVIII.

Then, (sickening even while I spoke)
“Let me alone! No answer, pray,
“To this! I know what Thou wilt say!
“All still is earth's,—to know, as much
“As feel its truths, which if we touch
“With sense, or apprehend in soul,
“What matter? I have reached the goal—
“‘Whereto does knowledge serve!’ will burn
“My eyes, too sure, at every turn!
“I cannot look back now, nor stake
“Bliss on the race, for running's sake.
“The goal's a ruin like the rest!—
“And so much worse thy latter quest,”
(Added the voice) “that even on earth—
“Whenever, in man's soul, had birth
“Those intuitions, grasps of guess,
“Which pull the more into the less,
“Making the finite comprehend
“Infinity,—the bard would spend
“Such praise alone, upon his craft,
“As, when wind-lyres obey the waft,
“Goes to the craftsman who arranged
“The seven strings, changed them and rechanged—
“Knowing it was the South that harped.
“He felt his song, in singing, warped;
“Distinguished his and God's part: whence
“A world of spirit as of sense
“Was plain to him, yet not too plain,
“Which he could traverse, not remain
“A guest in:—else were permanent
“Heaven on the earth its gleams were meant
“To sting with hunger for full light,—
“Made visible in verse, despite
“The veiling weakness,—truth by means
“Of fable, showing while it screens,—
“Since highest truth, man e'er supplied,
“Was ever fable on outside.
“Such gleams made bright the earth an age;
“Now the whole sun's his heritage!
“Take up thy world, it is allowed,
“Thou who hast entered in the cloud!”