The works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow illustrated : vol. IV : poetical works volume one : earlier poems : translations : The Spanish student and other poems |
 |
TRUTH |
 | The works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |  |
52
TRUTH
Oh holy and eternal Truth! Thou art
An emanation of the Eternal Mind!
A glorious attribute—a noble part
Of uncreated being! Who can find,
By diligent searching—who can find out thee,
The Incomprehensible—the Deity!
An emanation of the Eternal Mind!
A glorious attribute—a noble part
Of uncreated being! Who can find,
By diligent searching—who can find out thee,
The Incomprehensible—the Deity!
The human mind is a reflection caught
From thee, a trembling shadow of thy ray.
Thy glory beams around us, but the thought
That heavenward wings its daring flight away,
Returns to where its flight was first begun,
Blinded and dark beneath the noon-day sun.
From thee, a trembling shadow of thy ray.
Thy glory beams around us, but the thought
That heavenward wings its daring flight away,
Returns to where its flight was first begun,
Blinded and dark beneath the noon-day sun.
The soul of man, though sighing after thee,
Hath never known thee, saving as it knows
The stars of heaven, whose glorious light we see,
The sun, whose radiance dazzles as it glows;
Something, that is beyond us, and above
The reach of human power, though not of human love.
Hath never known thee, saving as it knows
The stars of heaven, whose glorious light we see,
The sun, whose radiance dazzles as it glows;
Something, that is beyond us, and above
The reach of human power, though not of human love.
Vainly Philosophy may strive to teach
The secret of thy being. Its faint ray
Misguides our steps. Beyond the utmost reach
Of its untiring wing, the eternal day.
Of truth is shining on the longing eye,
Distant—unchanged—changeless—pure and high!
The secret of thy being. Its faint ray
Misguides our steps. Beyond the utmost reach
Of its untiring wing, the eternal day.
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Distant—unchanged—changeless—pure and high!
And yet thou hast not left thyself without
A revelation. All we feel and see
Within us and around, forbids to doubt,
Yet speaks so darkly and mysteriously
Of what we are and shall be evermore,
We doubt, and yet believe, and tremble and adore!
A revelation. All we feel and see
Within us and around, forbids to doubt,
Yet speaks so darkly and mysteriously
Of what we are and shall be evermore,
We doubt, and yet believe, and tremble and adore!
| The works of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow | |