Poems (Larcom)/Eureka
EUREKA.
I RAN through a garden of roses at morning, Uncaring the whither or why, When, sudden as light, came a musical warning-, Thrilling over my heart like a sigh. "Seek! seek!"one low word, and there followed no other:— I gathered a white lily-bell; A doveling I caught, newly left by its mother; I stooped for a pebble, a shell. But just as a joyous "Eureka!" replied, My dove flew away, and my white lily died; My pebble and shell lost the light of the wave, And "I have not found," was the answer I gave.
Then outward I sally, a fearless crusader, With "Seek" for a herald and guide. On Error's dominions I march, an invader; Green laurels the promise of Pride. Impatient Goliath is striding to battle; My foes are but pygmies to-day;"Eureka!" I shout, while the war-thunders rattle,— The victor rides forth from the fray. "Eureka!" why falters my tongue at the word? Chimæra yields not to a mortal's dull sword. Lo, giants arise from the blood of the slain! Alike were the search and the struggle in vain.
Now bring my good staff, for the pilgrim sees yonder A Mecca, an altar of rest. Beside that calm shrine I will seat me and ponder, And be in my solitude blest. There Peace shall bend over me, Peace, the white angel And Love, with her warm brooding wings. Eureka! I hear it—a soothing evangel— 'Tis gentle Reflection that sings. Still cheated! Ixion still grasps at a cloud. The white robe of Peace,—it is only a shroud! My Mecca I leave; all in vain have I sought The garden, the battle, the shrine; —they are naught
Now pausing, a wanderer restless yet weary, "Seek! seek!" how it sounds, like a moan! Ah, where? for around all is barren and dreary; Beyond lies the dread, the unknown. And upward—O, joy! what a glory is breaking! Why looked I not upward before? My soul like a planet in sunlight is waking, To suffer eclipse nevermore. Eureka! all dazzled with splendor I stand; Light upward and inward, a Father at hand, A crown overhead that erelong I shall win;—Eureka! the Kingdom of God is within!