Classic Poem

I .

From out the fullness of the universe,
The earth, the sunshine and the air distill
The tender forms of plants; each to fulfill
Its perfect being and again disperse
Its beauty; as if each blossom would rehearse
Its Maker's glory and adore His skill
Who giveth it a body at His will
And in His radiance would itself immerse.

And to some souls He gives this God-like power:
The world in beauty spreads before their eyes
With color, form, and sound for royal dower.
It still lies lifeless, till some loving heart
Creates a body for it with his art.
Behold a wonder — man the life supplies.

II .

For by the subtile alchemy of art
The elemental beauties that exist —
The light, the shade, the ruby, amethyst,
The glowing glories that at evening start,
The mountain summits and the ocean's part,
When by the sunbeam they are softly kissed;
All these and more — the artist alchemist
Transforms by fusion with the human heart.

For lo, he grasps the spirit of the whole,
The hidden beauty, truth without alloy;
Nature surprised reveals to him her soul.
The spirit takes on substance, dons the dress
The hand provides its beauty to express;
Henceforth a permanent embodied joy.