Page:Poems Greenwell.djvu/219

      Of old perplexed he stood
And questioned much with things that did appear
 Of things that were, and for the unseen Good
He sought 'mid present shows, but neither ear
Was there, nor voice to give an answer clear;
So listening oft, O Thou, Desired of all.
To hear afar Thy coming footsteps fall,
Thy shadow on the murky atmosphere
Grew gross and palpable, and soon his sense
Discerjied not well if foe or friend were near;
While whirling, ringing still from sphere to sphere
 Of widening thought, went up his bitter cry
Of "whence" and "why," and evermore this whence
 And why did clash together for reply.

      Until for aye to quell
This battle, that had grown for him too sore
 To bring his foes to silence, and compel
His doubtful friends to weary him no more.
With changeful aspects and with frequent strife.
Thou camest suddenly:

Thou camest suddenly:And first with Life
 Thou madest friends for us; our lives in Thine
Grow kind and gracious, Lord! when Thou didst make
Thy soul an offering for sin. Thy love
Was even unto Death; yea, far above,
For Thou didst suffer Life for us!^[1] to take
 More hard than to resign.

1. Note E.