 | From Sunset Ridge |  |
118
MEDITATION I
Whether the aim I keep is right,
So far removed from sense and sight,
While half the goods that mortals prize
Lie hidden from my dream-bound eyes,
And others watch with subtler skill
To please the toy-bent human will?
So far removed from sense and sight,
While half the goods that mortals prize
Lie hidden from my dream-bound eyes,
And others watch with subtler skill
To please the toy-bent human will?
For this one passions with her glance;
And this one weaves her swift romance;
And this in steadfast marble leaves
The passing bloom the moment gives;
And this one mints the golden coin,
Attendant on each glad design,
And in her state well pleased doth ride
Through streets that saw the Tarquin's pride;
While I plod cheerless after thee,
Thou unattained Philosophy.
And this one weaves her swift romance;
And this in steadfast marble leaves
The passing bloom the moment gives;
And this one mints the golden coin,
Attendant on each glad design,
And in her state well pleased doth ride
Through streets that saw the Tarquin's pride;
While I plod cheerless after thee,
Thou unattained Philosophy.
For me no crowd admiring waits,
Nor lettered venture tempts the Fates,
Nor hangs my work on princely walls,
Nor title proud my merit calls,
Nor I and marble shall be wed
Except above my funeral bed.
Only my diagrams I know;
And even these make greater show
Than thou, O mistress! dost allow,
Pent inward by a silent vow.
Nor lettered venture tempts the Fates,
Nor hangs my work on princely walls,
Nor title proud my merit calls,
119
Except above my funeral bed.
Only my diagrams I know;
And even these make greater show
Than thou, O mistress! dost allow,
Pent inward by a silent vow.
But this I boast,—a simpler need,
That leaves untrammelled time to read
The sentence of a loftier book
Than aught that Gain and Rumor brook;
The thrifty urging of the morn
That waits on nations newly born,
Bestowing promise more divine
Than checkered gold at day's decline;
Faith that permits and passes growth,
Embracing God and Nature both.
That leaves untrammelled time to read
The sentence of a loftier book
Than aught that Gain and Rumor brook;
The thrifty urging of the morn
That waits on nations newly born,
Bestowing promise more divine
Than checkered gold at day's decline;
Faith that permits and passes growth,
Embracing God and Nature both.
The rainbow helps us from the storm;
But skies serene are uniform.
Though colored gems be fair, the white
Doth keep the undivided light.
The garden shows its radiant prism,
The lily hides her golden chrism,
And Truth and Peace are goods sincere
That fix the source of comforts near.
But skies serene are uniform.
Though colored gems be fair, the white
Doth keep the undivided light.
The garden shows its radiant prism,
The lily hides her golden chrism,
And Truth and Peace are goods sincere
That fix the source of comforts near.
| From Sunset Ridge | |