Poems (Hardy)/Here beginneth space

by Irenè Hardy

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 raft
Seeking 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 waft
A 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 aflame
I 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 bound
Or limit,—yet to thee its east and west
Are only door-posts whence thou makest quest
 For somewhat more of truth than thou hast found
 By weighing suns or atoms, taking sound
And 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 rod
Forward, beyond, one furlong more, yet thou,
 Like all before thee born, shalt run to hide
  Thy baffled face before the feet of God.