Through a Glass darkly. 45 What is the end of strife? I know not, let me live my life. How many days or e'er thou mean'st to move? I know not, let me love my love. I know not, let me do as others do. I know not, I will do my duty, said the last. Thy duty do? rejoined the voice, But shalt thou then, when all is done, And taking up the word around, above, below, Some querulously high, some softly, sadly low, We know not, sang they all, nor ever need we know ! We know not, sang they, what avails to know? Whereat the questioning spirit, some short space, Though unabashed, stood quiet in his place. But as the echoing chorus died away And to their dreams the rest returned apace, Hope only, hope thou, and believe alway. Imbreeding doubt and sceptic melancholy; me, Come all to this true ignorance and thee. LOVE FAITH. NOW Reverence is the bond for man With all of best his eyes discern; TEACHES MORE THAN CAN, DOCTRINE AND NO PURE HOPE WILL VAINLY YEARN. But all from depths of mystery grows To thee, to all, my sinking voice, Beloved! would fain once more proclaim, In Christ alone mayst thou rejoice, Deceived by every other name. In all but Him our sins have been, God's perfect will for all mankind. The shadows round me close and press, And more I seem its light to bless Than aught near worlds could give to me. As light and warmth to noontide hours, The Two Voices. 49 THE TWO VOICES. THE SECOND VOICE. SECOND voice was at mine ear, A murmur, "Be of better cheer." As from some blissful neighborhood, "I see the end, and know the good." A little hint to solace woe, A hint, a whisper breathing low, Like an Æolian harp that wakes Far thought with music that it makes. Such seemed the whisper at my side: "What is it thou knowest, sweet voice?" I cried : "A hidden hope," the voice replied: |