Hymn (For Boys' Voices)

All the things magicians do Could be done by me and you Freely, if we only knew. Human children every day Could play at games the faeries play If they were but shown the way. Every man a God would be Laughing through eternity If as God's his eyes could see. All the wizardries of God— Slaying matter with a nod, Charming spirits with his rod, With the singing of his voice Making lonely lands rejoice, Leaving us no will nor choice, Drawing headlong me and you As the piping Orpheus drew Man and beast the mountains through, By the sweetness of his horn Calling us from lands forlorn Nearer to the widening morn— All that loveliness of power Could be man's peculiar dower, Even mine, this very hour; We should reach the Hidden Land And grow immortal out of hand, If we could but understand! We could revel day and night In all power and all delight If we learn to think aright.