The Songs that Quinte Sang/Soul and Mind
Soul and Mind.
Here at the glass I stand and wait
To meet that cold, proud gaze of thine,
Some questions I would put to thee,
So answer true, Soul of mine!
Lift up those clear, calm eyes to mine,
Calm eyes that search me thro’ and thro’,
And listen while I question thee,
O Soul of mine, and answer true.
Life is so full of mysteries
That are not understood by men.
So full of problems yet unsolved,
Too deep and vast for human ken.
Mine eyes, earth-blinded, vainly strive
To read each wondrous mystery,
But thou art heaven-born, they say,
O Soul! It must be plain to thee.
Then tell me, was it worth my while
To live thro’ all those dull, gray years,
With scarce a ray of joy or light
To lift the clouds of grief and tears.
When as a child I knew no wrong,
And hope within my heart beat high,
When faith in human kind was strong,
Soul! Were it not best to die?
When Love’s sweet magic thrilled my soul,
And Life a paradise did seem,
Soul! Were it not best to die
Than live to find it all a dream?
And when I tried to reach the goal
Upon the heights so far above,
Another passed me in the race
And won the prize for which I strove.
And as I watched my fair hopes die,
My heart grew cold and hard as stone.
Then balked Ambition vanquished Faith,
Whilst cruel Doubt usurped her throne.
O Soul! Thou knowest how I tried
To keep my faith in God and man,
But every hope was swept from me.
Why was it? Answer, if you can.
Soul! Is there joy enough in Heaven
To make amends for human woe?
Can all eternity atone
For what we suffer here below!
The preacher bids us kiss the rod,
And bow our heads to Heaven’s decree,
Says Sorrow is the lot of man;
But tell me, Soul! Why must it be?
Nay, gaze not with accusing eyes,
Mine eyes can stare as well as thine,
Those questions I have put to thee,
Thou can’st not answer, Soul of mine!
A clear, sweet voice stole on my ear,
A voice of wondrous melody,
As from the mirror’s crystal depths
My Soul looked out and answered me.
I cannot tell you what she said,
For words of mine are all too weak;
It was no language of this earth
In which my Soul to me did speak.
Oh! Wondrous were the words she spake,
Wisdom and Truth, sublime and grand!
They hushed my mind’s wild questioning
And fell upon my heart like balm.
Her eyes met mine with steadfast gaze,
Until, abashed, I gazed no more,
But knelt before my God, and prayed
As I had never prayed before.