XXII.
THE CHRISTIAN ARTIST.
I
Lord of Art and Lord of Nature,
Lo, I yield myself to Thee:—
Grant Thine own creative creature
Inward eyes the Truth to see.
I await Thy sure command:
Guide my soul, and nerve my hand.
II
Thou art Beauty: Thou art Life:
Thou art Strength, and Thou art Rest
Chain the elements from strife:
Lawless impulses arrest.
Bounded by th' eternal Line
Let the Parts in One combine.
III
Thou beneath Thy creatures hid,
Art the meaning of the world.
Man th' emblazon'd truths may read
When Thy banner flames unfurl'd.
Grant him Love, and Strength, and Grace,
To endure Thine unveil'd face.
IV
Let the Form, unconscious flowing,
Paint itself before the sight.
Thou Thy guiding grace bestowing,
Lead'st the plastic hand aright.
Man alone is truly free
When he lies enslaved to Thee.
