University of Virginia Library

THE FIRE FROM HEAVEN.

I raised an altar, built of costly stones,
Unto the God I worshipped, on a height
Which the first kisses of the morning light
Received, and heard the breezes' earliest tones;
And on these jewels plucked from royal thrones,
I laid an offering beautiful and bright,
The tribute of the fairest, richest zones,
And all that was most grateful to the sight.
And yet I built and offered still in vain,
For to my purest offering clove a stain,
And I could nowhere find a kindling spark;
But when I aimed at a more lofty mark,
And sacrificed my will, albeit with pain,
Fell fire from heaven and lit that altar dark.