"Much more, if first I floated free, As naked essence, must I be Incompetent of memory:

"For memory dealing but with time, And he with matter, could she climb Beyond her own material prime?

"Moreover, something is or seems, That touches me with mystic gleams, Like glimpses of forgotten dreams—

"Of something felt, like something here; Of something done, I know not where ; Such as no language may declare."

The still voice laugh'd. "I talk," said he,

"Not with thy dreams.

Suffice it thee

Thy pain is a reality."

"But thou," said I, "hast miss'd thy mark,

Who sought'st to wreck my mortal ark,

By making all the horizon dark.

This rashness, that which might ensue
With this old soul in organs new?

X 2

"Whatever crazy sorrow saith,

No life that breathes with human breath Has ever truly long'd for death.

"'Tis life, whereof our nerves are scant, Oh life, not death, for which we pant; More life, and fuller, that I want."

I ceased, and sat as one forlorn. Then said the voice, in quiet scorn, "Behold, it is the Sabbath morn."

And I arose, and I released

The casement, and the light increased
With freshness in the dawning east.

Like soften'd airs that blowing steal,
When meres begin to uncongeal,
The sweet church bells began to peal.

On to God's house the people prest : Passing the place where each must rest, Each enter'd like a welcome guest.

One walk'd between his wife and child, With measured footfall firm and mild, And now and then he gravely smiled.

The prudent partner of his blood Lean'd on him, faithful, gentle, good, Wearing the rose of womanhood.

And in their double love secure,
The little maiden walk'd demure,
Pacing with downward eyelids pure.

These three made unity so sweet,
My frozen heart began to beat,
Remembering its ancient heat.

I blest them, and they wander'd on :
I spoke, but answer came there none :
The dull and bitter voice was gone.

A second voice was at mine ear,
A little whisper silver-clear,
A murmur, "Be of better cheer."

As from some blissful neighbourhood,

A notice faintly understood,

"I see the end, and know the good."

A little hint to solace woe, A hint, a whisper breathing low, "I may not speak of what I know"

Like an Æolian harp that wakes
No certain air, but overtakes

Far thought with music that it makes :

Such seem'd the whisper at my side : "What is it thou knowest, sweet voice?" I cried. "A hidden hope," the voice replied:

So heavenly-toned, that in that hour
From out my sullen heart a power
Broke, like the rainbow from the shower,

To feel, altho' no tongue can prove,
That every cloud, that spreads above
And veileth love, itself is love.

And forth into the fields I went,
And Nature's living motion lent
The pulse of hope to discontent.

I wonder'd at the bounteous hours,
The slow result of winter showers:

You scarce could see the

grass

for flowers.

I wonder'd, while I paced along :

The woods were fill'd so full with song,
There seem'd no room for sense of wrong.

So variously seem'd all things wrought, I marvell'd how the mind was brought To anchor by one gloomy thought;

And wherefore rather I made choice
To commune with that barren voice,
Than him that said, "Rejoice! rejoice!'

99