Classic Poem

1

Hail, pilgrim! In Space's Infinitude,
In Eternity's quick-passing moment;
Here strangely our paths meet together:
Whence comes the wayfarer and who?

2

From far of a truth was my journeying:
From bourne of this thousand-sunn'd All,
Began when first Time was created!

1

'Tis far, as thou sayest, yet near us,
The Bosom of God.

2

Whence I come? From the Depths
Of Being's inscrutable Ocean, that onward
Of Light and of Darkness, of Birth and of Death, —
Still floweth in Passion and Action, —
From Myst'ry to Myst'ry: the whirl of that
Chaos awoke me; and here for a space
I have Figure: I Am, and Appear.

1

Thy errand, strange Spirit?

2

Who knows it?
To wander! To wander!

1

Sore marrd is thy face,
In those glances, so restless, so wearied,
Stern anger oft glow'd, and the gentler
Effulgence of tears?

2

Lo! these Garments of Flesh
I wear; and still onwards and onwards
A voice doth command me, and Pleasure
I tasted and Pain, and Love also and Hate, —
Am compassd with Storms and with Radiance —
Sleep too is vouchsafed me; but nowhere is Rest.

1

Ha Pilgrim no Spirit art thou but a Man!
Embrace me my Brother! we two are as Exiles
Beneath the lone sky, ah and far from our Homeland
Let each on the lov'd heart find solace and strength.

2

Embrace, and farewell!

1

Must we forth, and alone?

2

To Darkness, and Silence, and Death!

1

Yet with God
For Guidance?

2

Yea, God.

1

And who knows
But (the Darkness a veil) in that Silence is Light
And the Rest which thou seekest?

2

As H E shall have willed!

1

And the Parted may meet?
2

As H E wills!
Both. We are far and yet near: fare thee well!