Classic Poem

When first I trod in wistful gropings lonely,
And felt for God, in crude impassioned youth;
I longed to know Thee and Thy spirit only,
Thou great, clear-orbèd Truth!

For Thee alone I sought 'mid earth's confusions,
By Thee, and Thee alone, I measured life,
Mighty or petty; drew its deep conclusions,
Plumbed its abysses, felt its ebb or strife.

I sorrow o'er myself, for I have wronged
The greatness that He made me, and have turned
Aside in dreams, where lighter fancies longed,
Or deeper channels where earth's passions burned.

But Thou, still onward in Thy fixed unturning,
Betwixt the olden ill and bitter moan,
Dost tread the true old way, Thy lamp still burning,
Led by Thy light alone.

And round and round in Thy great orbit flaming,
Like the fixed planets, Thou dost circle still,
'Mid new confusions, olden loves defaming,
And murky mists of those who work Thee ill.