CXXI.

THERE rolls the deep where grew the tree.
O earth, what changes hast thou seen!
There where the long street roars, hath been
The stillness of the central sea.

The hills are shadows, and they flow

From form to form, and nothing stands; They melt like mist, the solid lands, Like clouds they shape themselves and go.

But in my spirit will I dwell,

And dream my dream, and hold it true;
For though my lips may breathe adieu,
I cannot think the thing farewell.

CXXII.

THAT which we dare invoke to bless ;

Our dearest faith, our ghastliest doubt;

He, They, One, All; within, without; 'The Power in darkness whom we guess;

I found Him not in world or sun,

Or eagle's wing, or insect's eye;

Nor through the questions men may try, The petty cobwebs we have spun :

If e'er when faith had fall'n asleep,

I heard a voice, "Believe no more," And heard an ever-breaking shore That tumbled in the Godless deep;

A warmth within the breast would melt
The freezing reason's colder part,

And like a man in wrath the heart

Stood up and answered, "I have felt."

No, like a child in doubt and fear:

But that blind clamor made me wise;

Then was I as a child that cries,

But, crying, knows his father near;

And what I seem beheld again

What is, and no man understands;

And out of darkness came the hands

That reach through nature, moulding men.

CXXIII.

WHATEVER I have said or sung,

Some bitter notes my harp would give, Yea, though there often seemed to live A contradiction on the tongue,

Yet Hope had never lost her youth;

She did but look through dimmer eyes; Or Love but played with gracious lies, Because he felt so fixed in truth:

And if the song were full of care,

He breathed the spirit of the song;

And if the words were sweet and strong, He set his royal signet there;

Abiding with me till I sail

To seek thee on the mystic deeps,
And this electric force, that keeps

A thousand pulses dancing, fail.

CXXIV.

LOVE is and was my Lord and King,
And in his presence I attend

To hear the tidings of my friend,
Which every hour his couriers bring.

Love is and was my King and Lord,
And will be, though as yet I keep
Within his court on earth, and sleep
Encompassed by his faithful guard,

And hear at times a sentinel

That moves about from place to place,
And whispers to the vast of space

Among the worlds, that all is well.