in the Master's peace; And falling downward then The angelic lights were crucified in men; Leaving so radiant spheres For earth's dim twilight ever wet with tears That through those shadows dim Might breathe the lovely music brought from Him. And now my grief I see Was but that ancient shadow part of me, Not yet attuned to good, Still blind and senseless in its warring mood, I turn from it and climb To the heroic spirit of the prime, The light that well foreknew All the dark ways that it must journey through. Yet seeing still again, A distant glory o'er the hills of pain, Through all that chaos wild A breath as gentle as a little child, Through earth transformed, divine, The Christ-soul of the universe to shine. 

 

 

 AGE AND YOUTH 

 We have left our youth behind: Earth is in its baby years: Void of wisdom cries the wind, And the sunlight knows no tears. 

 When shall twilight feel the awe, All the rapt thought of the sage, And the lips of wind give law Drawn from out their lore of age? 

 When shall earth begin to burn With such love as thrills my breast? When shall we together turn To our long, long home for rest? 

 Child and father, we grow old While you laugh and play with flowers; And life's tale for us is told Holding only empty hours. 

 Giant child, on you await All the hopes and fears of men. In thy fulness is our fate— What till then, oh, what till then? 

 

 

 THE JOY OF EARTH 

 Oh, the sudden wings arising from the ploughed fields brown Showered aloft in spray of song the wildbird twitter floats O'er the unseen fount awhile, and then comes dropping down Nigh the cool brown earth to hush enraptured notes. 

 Far within a dome of trembling opal throbs the fire, Mistily its rain of diamond lances shed below Touches eyes and brows and faces lit with wild desire For the burning silence whither we would go. 

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