Poems (Hardy)/Here beginneth space
HERE BEGINNETH SPACE
I
I SAW a pillar rise against the sky, That veiled one star behind its crystal shaft; Slow outward moving went an oarless raftSeeking I saw not what ere light should die;All round that lonely land the rocks piled high, Nor signified an end, nor wit nor craft Of builder; winds blew fair as if to waftA breath of hope, but hope came not thereby.With utter grief so dreamed I that I dreamed; Wherefore, I had no sleep, for I would learn Where went the oarless raft; with soul aflameI followed on and on, until I seemed, Upon a shoreless ocean lone, to turn And flee a formless Dread without a name.
II
Ah, wistful soul, that cannot be at rest! Thou frettest in the circle drawn around This little world? To others without boundOr limit,—yet to thee its east and westAre only door-posts whence thou makest quest For somewhat more of truth than thou hast found By weighing suns or atoms, taking soundAnd finding reefs and barriers thou hadst guessed.Behold earth's wisdom; take its measure now; Let thy surveyor soul be satisfied And know. Carry thy chain and set thy rodForward, beyond, one furlong more, yet thou, Like all before thee born, shalt run to hide Thy baffled face before the feet of God.