Life and Phantasy by William Allingham: With frontispiece by Sir John E. Millais: A design by Arthur H. Hughes and a song for voice and piano forte |
 |
|
|
CROSS-EXAMINATION. |
|
|
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
|
|
|
|
|
 | Life and Phantasy |  |
44
CROSS-EXAMINATION.
What knowest thou of this eternal code?
As much as God intended to display.
As much as God intended to display.
Wilt thou affirm thou knowest aught of God?
Nor, save His works, that creature ever may.
Nor, save His works, that creature ever may.
Is not thy life at times a weary load?
Which aimless on my back he would not lay.
Which aimless on my back he would not lay.
Is it all good thy conscience doth forbode?
The deepest thought doth least my soul affray.
The deepest thought doth least my soul affray.
When hath a glimpse of Heav'n been ever show'd
Whilst walking straight, I never miss its ray.
Whilst walking straight, I never miss its ray.
Why should such destiny to thee be owed
Easy alike to Him are yea and nay.
Easy alike to Him are yea and nay.
Why shouldst thou reach it by so mean a road?
Ask that of Him who set us in the way.
Ask that of Him who set us in the way.
Art thou more living than a finch or toad?
Is soul sheer waste, if we be such as they?
Is soul sheer waste, if we be such as they?
Thou never wilt prevail to loose the node.
If so, 'twere loss of labour to essay.
If so, 'twere loss of labour to essay.
Nor to uproot these doubts so thickly sow'd.
Nor thou these deeplier-rooted hopes to slay.
Nor thou these deeplier-rooted hopes to slay.
| Life and Phantasy | |