THE TWO HERBERTS.
29
| If fixed contemplation be chosen rather in the mind, |
| All the mysteries of the high regions shall be laid open to us, |
| And the joy will be to know the methods of God,— |
| Then it may be permitted to act upon earth, to have a care |
| Of the weal of men, and to bestow just laws. |
| If we are more delighted with celestial love, |
| We are dissolved into flames which glide about and excite one another |
| Mutually, embraced in sacred ardours, |
| Spring upwards, enfolded together in firmest bonds, |
| In parts and wholes, mingling by turns, |
| And the ardour of the Divine kindles (in them) still new ardours, |
| It will make us happy to praise God, while he commands us, |
| The angelic choir, singing together with sweet modulation, |
| Sounds through heaven, publishing our joys, |
| And beauteous spectacles are put forth, hour by hour, |
| And, as it were, the whole fabric of heaven becomes a theatre, |
| Till the divine energy pervades the whole sweep of the world, |
| And chisels out from it new forms, |
| Adorned with new faculties, of larger powers. |
| Our forms, too, may then be renewed— |
| Assume new forms and senses, till our |
| Joys again rise up consummate. |
| If trusting thus, I shall have put off this mortal weed, |
| Why may not then still greater things be disclosed? |
George H.—(who, during his brother’s reading, has listened, with head bowed down, leaned on his arm, looks up after a few moments’ silence)—Pardon, my lord, if I have not fit words to answer you. The flood of your thought has swept over me like music, and like that, for the time, at least, it fills and satisfies. I am conscious of many feelings which are not touched upon there,—of the depths of love and sorrow made known to men, through One whom you as yet know not. But of these I will not speak now, except to ask, borne on this strong pinion, have you never faltered till you felt the need of a friend? strong in this clear vision, have you never sighed for a more homefelt assurance to your faith? steady in your demand of what the soul re-
