They glut the whirlpools of abysmal night; They gather up the flaming shreds of morn; With streams and forests of a world unborn They set the hills of Eden in her sight. True poet-soul, is ought beyond your power? When you, prophetic, from life's utmost hill, With song's unearthly vision in your eyes, Stretch forth your hands,-a watcher on his tower, God in his heaven bidding light arise. THE PROBLEM RALPH WALDO EMERSON I like a church; I like a cowl; Fall like sweet strains or pensive smiles: Not from a vain or shallow thought Himself from God he could not free; He builded better than he knew;— Know'st thou what wove yon woodbird's nest Of leaves, and feathers from her breast? These temples grew as grows the grass; The passive master lent his hand, To the vast soul that o'er him planned; Ever the fiery Pentecost Girds with one flame the countless host, Still whispers to the willing mind. MILTON'S PRAYER FOR PATIENCE ELIZABETH LLOYD HOWELL I am old and blind! Men point at me as smitten by God's frown: Yet am I not cast down. I am weak, yet strong; I murmur not that I no longer see; All-merciful One! When men are furthest, then art Thou most near; When friends pass by, my weaknesses to shun, Thy chariot I hear. Thy glorious face Is leaning toward me; and its holy light On my bended knee I recognize thy purpose clearly shown: I have naught to fear; This darkness is the shadow of thy wing; Can come no evil thing. Oh, I seem to stand Trembling, where foot of mortal ne'er hath been, Wrapt in that radiance from the sinless land, Which eye hath never seen! Visions come and go: Shapes of resplendent beauty around me throng; It is nothing now, When heaven is opening on my sightless eyes, When airs from Paradise refresh my brow, That earth in darkness lies. In a purer clime My being fills with rapture,-waves of thought Give me now my lyre! I feel the stirrings of a gift divine: INSPIRATION SAMUEL JOHNSON Life of Ages, richly poured, Love of God unspent and free, Flowing in the Prophet's word And the People's liberty. Never was to chosen race That unstinted tide confined; Thine is every time and place, Fountain sweet of heart and mind! Secret of the morning stars, Rolling planet, flaming sun, Stand in nobler man complete; Prescient laws thine errands run, Frame the shrine for Godhead meet. Homeward led, the wandering eye In the touch of earth it thrilled; Breathing in the thinker's creed, Consecrating art and song, Holy book and pilgrim track, Hurling floods of tyrant wrong From the sacred limits back. Life of Ages, richly poured, Love of God, unspent and free, Flow still in the Prophet's word, |