Making a golden cloud of sorrow, I would more natures were like thine, Whose sad thoughts, even, leap and shine, THE FOUNTAIN. INTO the sunshine, Into the moonlight, When the winds blow! Into the starlight Rushing in spray, Happy at midnight, Happy by day! Ever in motion, Blithesome and cheery, Still climbing heavenward, Never aweary ;— Glad of all weathers, Still seeming best, Upward or downward, Motion thy rest ;— Full of a nature Ceaseless aspiring, Glorious fountain! 3 VOL. I. ODE. I. In the old days of awe and keen-eyed wonder, The Poet's song with blood-warm truth was rife; He saw the mysteries which circle under The outward shell and skin of daily life. There was in him no hope of fame, no passion, Than the world's seeming loss could take away. And whispered to him, and he prophesied. Than all men he more fearless was and freer, And all his brethren cried with one accord,"Behold the holy man! Behold the Seer! Him who hath spoken with the unseen Lord!" He to his heart with large embrace had taken The universal sorrow of mankind, And, from that root, a shelter never shaken, The tree of wisdom grew with sturdy rind. He could interpret well the wondrous voices Which to the calm and silent spirit come; He knew that the One Soul no more rejoices In the star's anthem than the insect's hum. He in his heart was ever meek and humble, And yet with kingly pomp his numbers ran, As he foresaw how all things false should crumble Before the free, uplifted soul of man: And, when he was made full to overflowing With all the loveliness of heaven and earth, Out rushed his song, like molten iron glowing, To show God sitting by the humblest hearth. With calmest courage he was ever ready To teach that action was the truth of thought, And, with strong arm and purpose firm and steady, An anchor for the drifting world he wrought. So did he make the meanest man partaker Of all his brother-gods unto him gave; All souls did reverence him and name him Maker, II. But now the Poet is an empty rhymer For he unmakes who doth not all put forth |