White Iris II (This is the artist's sign that bids him dare)

This is the artist's sign that bids him dare— The craftsman's symbol of supremacy— The trefoil of perfection, showing forth How skill and understanding must conspire With the Lord of Love to bring heart's wish to pass In goodliness, in beauty, and in truth, That loving kindness may possess the world, And joyous wisdom prosper to the end. As when the Word first moved upon the void And swung the planets in stupendous poise, And there was light—and life—to carry on— It moves today to form, inspire, sustain— Man and his doings on the brink of time, And this frail flower unanxious in the sun.