"BY DIVERS PATHS"
Unknown to me thy name or state,
Save that a mantle saintly
Of rare and sweet unworldliness
Enfolded thee most quaintly.
Save that a mantle saintly
Of rare and sweet unworldliness
Enfolded thee most quaintly.
We came and went by divers paths;
We planned nor time, nor meeting;
We spake not, save by nod, or smile,
Or glance of casual greeting.
We planned nor time, nor meeting;
We spake not, save by nod, or smile,
Or glance of casual greeting.
Yet, led by some strange chance or fate
To-day by ruined altars,
Where, strained through clustering ivy leaves
The pitying sunshine falters;
To-day by ruined altars,
Where, strained through clustering ivy leaves
The pitying sunshine falters;
To-morrow where your blue lakes shine,
And bloom your English daisies;
Or on Helvellyn's lofty crest
The sunset splendor blazes;
And bloom your English daisies;
Or on Helvellyn's lofty crest
The sunset splendor blazes;
Or where deep organ-thunders roll
Through grand cathedral arches,
And stately Durham's triple towers
Look toward the Scottish marches;
Through grand cathedral arches,
And stately Durham's triple towers
Look toward the Scottish marches;
Thus, here and there, we met, nor knew
Each other's name nor mission,
The while a subtile kinship grew
To silent recognition.
Each other's name nor mission,
The while a subtile kinship grew
To silent recognition.
