Songs, Merry and Sad

Vision

     The wintry sun was pale
      On hill and hedge;
     The wind smote with its flail
      The seeded sedge;
     High up above the world,
      New taught to fly,
     The withered leaves were hurled
      About the sky;
     And there, through death and dearth,
      It went and came,—
     The Glory of the earth
      That hath no name.

     I know not what it is;
      I only know
     It quivers in the bliss
      Where roses blow,
     That on the winter's breath
      It broods in space,
     And o'er the face of death
      I see its face,
     And start and stand between
      Delight and dole,
     As though mine eyes had seen
      A living Soul.

     And I have followed it,
      As thou hast done,
     Where April shadows flit
      Beneath the sun;
     In dawn and dusk and star,
      In joy and fear,
     Have seen its glory far
      And felt it near,
     And dared recall his name
      Who stood unshod
     Before a fireless flame,
      And called it God.