All Flesh

I do not need the skies' Pomp, when I would be wise; For pleasaunce nor to use Heaven's champaign when I muse. One grass-blade in its veins Wisdom's whole flood contains; Thereon my foundering mind Odyssean fate can find. O little blade, now vaunt Thee, and be arrogant! Tell the proud sun that he Sweated in shaping thee; Night, that she did unvest Her mooned and argent breast To suckle thee. Heaven fain Yearned over thee in rain, And with wide parent wing Shadowed thee, nested thing, Fed thee, and slaved for thy Impotent tyranny. Nature's broad thews bent Meek for thy content. Mastering littleness Which the wise heavens confess, The frailty which doth draw Magnipotence to its law-- These were, O happy one, these Thy laughing puissances! Be confident of thought, Seeing that thou art naught; And be thy pride thou'rt all Delectably safe and small. Epitomized in thee Was the mystery Which shakes the spheres conjoint-- God focussed to a point. All thy fine mouths shout Scorn upon dull-eyed doubt. Impenetrable fool Is he thou canst not school To the humility By which the angels see! Unfathomably framed Sister, I am not shamed Before the cherubin To vaunt my flesh thy kin. My one hand thine, and one Imprisoned in God's own, I am as God; alas, And such a god of grass! A little root clay-caught, A wind, a flame, a thought, Inestimably naught!