The Cause

Out of these throes that search and sear What is it so deep arises in us Above the shaken thoughts of fear,-- Whatever thread the Fates may spin us,-- Above the horror that would drown And tempest that would strike us down? It is to stand in cleansing light, The cloud of dullard habit lifted, To use a certainty of sight And breathe an air by peril sifted, The things that once we deemed of price Consumed in smoke of sacrifice. It is to feel the world we knew Changed to a wonder past our knowing; The grass, the trees, the skiey blue, The very stones are inly glowing With something infinite behind These shadows, ardently divined. We went our ways; each bosom bore Its spark of separate desire; But each now kindles to the core With faith from this transfusing fire, Whereto our inmost longings run To be made infinitely one With that which nothing can destroy, Which lives when all is crushed and taken, The home of dearer than our joy, By all save by the soul forsaken,-- The soul that strips her clean of care Because she breathes her native air, Yet not in scorn of lovely earth And human sweetness born of living, For these are grown of dearer worth, A gift more precious in the giving, Since through this raiment's hues and lines The glory of the spirit shines. Faces of radiant youth, that go Like rivers singing to the sea! You count no careful cost; you know; Of that far secret you are free; And life in you its splendour spending Sings the stars' song that has no ending.