V

Ages and creeds that drift Through change and cloud uplift The soul that soars and seeks her sovereign shrine, Her faith's veiled altar, there To find, when praise and prayer Fall baffled, if the darkness be divine. Lights change and shift through star and sun: Night, clothed with might of immemorial years, is one.

Day, born and slain of night, Hath hardly life in sight As she that bears and slays him and survives, And gives us back for one Cloud-thwarted fiery sun The myriad mysteries of the lambent lives Whose starry soundless music saith That light and life wax perfect even through night and death.

In vain had darkness heard Light speak the lustrous word That cast out faith in all save truth and love: In vain death's quickening rod Bade man rise up as God, Touched as with life unknown in heaven above: Fear turned his light of love to fire That wasted earth, yet might not slay the soul's desire.

Though death seem life, and night Bid fear call darkness light, Time, faith, and hope keep trust, through sorrow and shame, Till Christ, by Paul cast out, Return, and all the rout Of raging slaves whose prayer defiles his name Rush headlong to the deep, and die, And leave no sign to say that faith once heard them lie.