Xiii

What revelations fill with song The cycles? and to what belong Life’s far convictions of the light? Through which the spirit waxeth strong, The darkling soul surmounts the night, By builded rainbows, to some height Near mountain stars of Truth and Right, Beyond the vulture-wing of Wrong?--

To Nature! who adjusts the deeps Of her soul’s needs to man’s; and keeps Such grave response as grief shall hear When on her heart it sinks and weeps; For every gladness, clean and clear Its glad reflection lying near-- The wild accord of hope and fear Which in her inmost bosom sleeps.