iscern
The secret'st truth of things
Lost paradise eterne.
He was the first that fed
On fruit that knowledge brings;
Exiled from joys, he fled
And flaming swords did burn
Behind his path, which led
To miseries.

II

Great God, vouchsafe me truth:
For I am one that smitten
With the deep mystery of things,
In learned lore uncouth,
Out of pure wonder sings
In harmonies.

III

Great God, forfend the tooth
Of deep remorse, and stings
Of joys that I did spurn:
Oh, spare the gnawing ruth
Of memories' torturings,
Yea proudly did I turn
From earth to snatch at wings
To soar and ne'er return
To life's lees.

IV

Great God, I too am cursed;
A destiny from birth,
Of all dread fates the worst,
Drives me unrestful, flings
Me from my Eden bliss,
Over a barren earth,
To impious search for things
Whose heart is an abyss.
I too am one that clings.
In lust for a knowledge kiss,
Upon my knees.

V

Great God, I've given o'er
My paradise of ease,
Allowed my soul to soar
To mysteries high or deep
At the world's core;
Oh, quench its ardent thirst,
Its hunger, God, appease:--
Or if Thou dost ignore
The soul that Thou hast nursed,
Then smite me as I leap,
And let Thy rages roar
On me as in the first
That fell on sulphur seas.
Yea, down Hell's sliffy steep
Thy molten lightnings pour
Till darkness be immersed;
Yet know I will not creep
Though all Thy thunders burst
In penalties.

My Psalm of Life

I cannot grow as men would have me grow,
By ordered plodding to a life complete;
Climbing the path with slow and heavy beat
Of tedious footsteps from the world below.
I cannot like a visible circle flow
Until by measured compass I can meet
The place I started from with weary feet.
That proudly point the obvious path they go.
Ah no,--mine be the instinct given to trust
That all will in the outcome fall aright.
Like a migrant swan still wandering since I must,