"IN THE BEGINNING—GOD"
A spirit laid aside its flesh one day,
And sped on the wings of Thought, away;
His quest was for the beginning of Things;
For Substances veiled by Earth's Shadowings.
His first wond'ring look was cast athwart
Life's Time-chainless person, in the resort
Of primeval Chaos,—a shapeless mass
Over which was no bridge for him to pass.
And sped on the wings of Thought, away;
His quest was for the beginning of Things;
For Substances veiled by Earth's Shadowings.
His first wond'ring look was cast athwart
Life's Time-chainless person, in the resort
Of primeval Chaos,—a shapeless mass
Over which was no bridge for him to pass.
A sharp shaft of Light from an unseen Source,
Split the gloom with irresistible force,
Still naught was there here his tired eyes to rest,
Nor strength had he to obey Will's behest.
Suspended in Space, unguided—alone!
A stranger in 'midst of Pow'rs unshown!
He felt subtle touches, but saw no trace
Of the touchers, or of their dwelling place!
Split the gloom with irresistible force,
Still naught was there here his tired eyes to rest,
Nor strength had he to obey Will's behest.
Suspended in Space, unguided—alone!
A stranger in 'midst of Pow'rs unshown!
He felt subtle touches, but saw no trace
Of the touchers, or of their dwelling place!
Then, as in dreams, before his strained eyes,
Facts most familiar began to arise
From secret abodes,—all hidden from view.
Then cried he aloud: "I see nothing new,
But whence came they all? 'tis that I would find—
Not things that I see, but what lies behind!"
Preceded by Light, he sought for the Cause
Back of man's being and of Earth's perfect laws.
Facts most familiar began to arise
From secret abodes,—all hidden from view.
Then cried he aloud: "I see nothing new,
But whence came they all? 'tis that I would find—
Not things that I see, but what lies behind!"
Preceded by Light, he sought for the Cause
Back of man's being and of Earth's perfect laws.
But, lo! again into darkness he fell,
Where Chaos and Silence together dwell!
And there the dazed spirit helplessly stood,
Till he felt himself closed in the arms of—God!
Face to face Creator and creature, then,
Met and communed with no Thing between,
God's love wore no mask wrought by Mystery,
And this He offered, to His works the key.
Where Chaos and Silence together dwell!
And there the dazed spirit helplessly stood,
Till he felt himself closed in the arms of—God!
Face to face Creator and creature, then,
Met and communed with no Thing between,
God's love wore no mask wrought by Mystery,
And this He offered, to His works the key.
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