 | English Roses |  |
NATURE UNVEILED.
I looked at Nature, and her face was coldAnd almost stern and hard;
As if she had some hidden truth to hold,
And ever stood on guard.
But then I moved away in doubt and fear,
And like a timid child;
Till in a moment she was more than near,
And through her shadow smil'd.
Ah, now it was no stranger that I saw
Who dim and distant stood,
Entrenched behind the inexorable law
Above me darkly good.
I saw myself, though fairer grander still,
Stript of the earthly dress;
And, under every human blot and ill,
Diviner loveliness.
For I was one with her in blessed power,
And by her beauty clothed;
The awful life, that thrilled the star and flower,
Was unto me betrothed.
And when I would in helplessness despond,
Before the bounding ridge;
The very limit was the life beyond,
And the o'erpassing bridge.
| English Roses | |