Classic Poem

Can flesh and blood contrive defence
'Gainst swords that pierce the spirit through,
Or meet, not knowing why or whence,
The blind bolt crashing from the blue?

" Oh, men have held times out of mind
Their stern and stoic courage bright —
But if no cry comes on the wind,
How shall I face the ambushed night?

" How shall I turn to bay, and stand
To grapple, if I cannot see
My fierce assailant at my hand,
The high look of mine enemy?

" If He will answer me, with rod
And plague and thunder let Him come —
But how can man dispute with God
Who writes no book, whose voice is dumb?

" Who rings me round with prison bars
Through which I peer with sleepless eyes,
And see the enigmatic stars —
These only — in the iron skies. "
. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

" These only? These together sang
At the glad birthday of the earth
When all the courts of Heaven rang
With shouting and angelic mirth!

" The night enfolds you with a cloak
Of silence and of chill affright?
But when man's wells of laughter broke,
Who gave man singing in the night?

" The Rod shall burst to flowers and fruit
Richer than grew on Aaron's rod,
And Mercy clothe you head to foot,
Beloved and smitten of your God! "