[Poems by Cary in] Poets and poetry of the West with biographical and critical notices |
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WORSHIPING AFAR OFF. |
 | [Poems by Cary in] Poets and poetry of the West |  |
363
WORSHIPING AFAR OFF.
Shining out whitely, from the lily's whiteness,
Or purple from the morning-glory's cup,
In the pure dew-drop, I had seen God's brightness
Flash proudly up.
Or purple from the morning-glory's cup,
In the pure dew-drop, I had seen God's brightness
Flash proudly up.
In his great mountains, standing grand and hoary,
And in the star-lamps swinging overhead,
I recognized the grandeur and the glory
About him spread.
And in the star-lamps swinging overhead,
I recognized the grandeur and the glory
About him spread.
I saw the wine gush out from full red presses,
The water, that keeps singing as it runs,
And said, how liberally the Father blesses
His thankless sons.
The water, that keeps singing as it runs,
And said, how liberally the Father blesses
His thankless sons.
In the free rain, that swells the buried treasure,
In the white harvest field's thick-bearded crop,
I saw, how from his good hand, without measure,
His riches drop.
In the white harvest field's thick-bearded crop,
I saw, how from his good hand, without measure,
His riches drop.
And I believed that he would always hear me,
Care for me now, and raise me from the dead,
Only he was not brought down very near me,
For all I said.
Care for me now, and raise me from the dead,
Only he was not brought down very near me,
For all I said.
I did but stand within the outer portal,
I was below, and he was far above,—
I loved him not, until I loved a mortal,
As mortals love.
I was below, and he was far above,—
I loved him not, until I loved a mortal,
As mortals love.
For, though he may trust God, and worship purely,
Who but his commonest blessings understands,
The human heart is touched by him most surely
With human hands.
Who but his commonest blessings understands,
The human heart is touched by him most surely
With human hands.
And through its deepest love, our God unto us,
Clearly and perfectly, himself reveals,
All faith believed, and all to which hope drew us,
Love knows and feels.
Clearly and perfectly, himself reveals,
All faith believed, and all to which hope drew us,
Love knows and feels.
365
My days and nights pass pleasantly,
Serenely on the seasons glide;
And though I think and dream of thee,
I dream of many things beside.
Serenely on the seasons glide;
And though I think and dream of thee,
I dream of many things beside.
Most eagerly thy praise is sought;
'Tis sweet to meet and sad to part.
But all my best and deepest thought
Is hidden from thee, in my heart.
'Tis sweet to meet and sad to part.
But all my best and deepest thought
Is hidden from thee, in my heart.
Then blame not that my love is less
Than should repay thy heart's desire;
For though I give thee only this,
I give thee all thou canst inspire.
Than should repay thy heart's desire;
For though I give thee only this,
I give thee all thou canst inspire.
| [Poems by Cary in] Poets and poetry of the West | |