Poems (Whitney)/To the spirit
TO THE SPIRIT.
BY A PRODIGAL'S FAVORITE.
Thou teachest better things unto my heart,
Than with my mouth I sing, I would fain be
The Memnon of the sunrise that I see:
I would the uprising flame would dart
Forth from my lips in living melody:
Or might I mock that inward hymn—! In vain
Like the poor bird that seeks so passionately
To-breathe its rival's more melodious strain,
I beat my wings for nought. And yet, O soul,
Life, love and nature, better thus to live
With you in close embrace, as whole in whole,
Than to give happily with less to give;
I drink continually the nectar up,
Yet never see the bottom of the cup.
Than with my mouth I sing, I would fain be
The Memnon of the sunrise that I see:
I would the uprising flame would dart
Forth from my lips in living melody:
Or might I mock that inward hymn—! In vain
Like the poor bird that seeks so passionately
To-breathe its rival's more melodious strain,
I beat my wings for nought. And yet, O soul,
Life, love and nature, better thus to live
With you in close embrace, as whole in whole,
Than to give happily with less to give;
I drink continually the nectar up,
Yet never see the bottom of the cup.