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160
THE ETERNAL VOICE!
SONNET STANZAS.
Ο νους ο λαλησων Θεος.
Menander.
Menander.
Deems there God holds no converse with the Earth
He toil'd to form through six succeeding days?
But that he leaves it now as nothing worth,
Or in high anger at its erring ways?
When, of old time, if true that scripture says,
To commune with the worm that owes him birth,
He sent his spirits forth, tempering their rays
And speech to man's weak ear and feeble gaze,
And made this world the fane of peace and mirth;
While rose of gratitude the humble lays,
In thousand tones of thankfulness and praise:
Ah! that there should of faith be so great dearth!
Man's folly wraps my senses in amaze,
In vain to gloze his fault, my heart essays!
He toil'd to form through six succeeding days?
But that he leaves it now as nothing worth,
Or in high anger at its erring ways?
When, of old time, if true that scripture says,
To commune with the worm that owes him birth,
He sent his spirits forth, tempering their rays
And speech to man's weak ear and feeble gaze,
And made this world the fane of peace and mirth;
While rose of gratitude the humble lays,
In thousand tones of thankfulness and praise:
Ah! that there should of faith be so great dearth!
161
In vain to gloze his fault, my heart essays!
Although not palpable to sight and mind,
The Eternal holds high converse with his slave;
Speaks he not to us in the rush of wind?
Speaks he not to us in the roar of wave?
Can we no voice in the loud thunder find?—
No aspiration high in echoing cave?
In deepest silence is no voice enshrined,
By which thoughts calm and holy are enjoined?
What stronger evidence shall mortals crave?
Oh man! to reason deaf, perverse, and blind,
How long will you such testimony brave?
Believe that still, omnipotent and kind,—
As wont of old, you, heavenly warnings have,
Through Nature's voice it is Heaven speaks to save!
The Eternal holds high converse with his slave;
Speaks he not to us in the rush of wind?
Speaks he not to us in the roar of wave?
Can we no voice in the loud thunder find?—
No aspiration high in echoing cave?
In deepest silence is no voice enshrined,
By which thoughts calm and holy are enjoined?
What stronger evidence shall mortals crave?
Oh man! to reason deaf, perverse, and blind,
How long will you such testimony brave?
Believe that still, omnipotent and kind,—
As wont of old, you, heavenly warnings have,
Through Nature's voice it is Heaven speaks to save!
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