Part 26 (1/2)
The Monk in the Kitchen. [Anna Hempstead Branch]
I
Order is a lovely thing; On disarray it lays its wing, Teaching simplicity to sing.
It has a meek and lowly grace, Quiet as a nun's face.
Lo -- I will have thee in this place!
Tranquil well of deep delight, Transparent as the water, bright -- All things that s.h.i.+ne through thee appear As stones through water, sweetly clear.
Thou clarity, That with angelic charity Revealest beauty where thou art, Spread thyself like a clean pool.
Then all the things that in thee are Shall seem more spiritual and fair, Reflections from serener air -- Sunken shapes of many a star In the high heavens set afar.
II
Ye stolid, homely, visible things, Above you all brood glorious wings Of your deep ent.i.ties, set high, Like slow moons in a hidden sky.
But you, their likenesses, are spent Upon another element.
Truly ye are but seemings -- The shadowy cast-off gleamings Of bright solidities. Ye seem Soft as water, vague as dream; Image, cast in a s.h.i.+fting stream.
III
What are ye?
I know not.
Brazen pan and iron pot, Yellow brick and grey flag-stone That my feet have trod upon -- Ye seem to me Vessels of bright mystery.
For ye do bear a shape, and so Though ye were made by man, I know An inner Spirit also made And ye his breathings have obeyed.
IV
Shape the strong and awful Spirit, Laid his ancient hand on you.
He waste chaos doth inherit; He can alter and subdue.
Verily, he doth lift up Matter, like a sacred cup.
Into deep substance he reached, and lo Where ye were not, ye were; and so Out of useless nothing, ye Groaned and laughed and came to be.
And I use you, as I can, Wonderful uses, made for man, Iron pot and brazen pan.
V
What are ye?
I know not; Nor what I really do When I move and govern you.
There is no small work unto G.o.d.
He requires of us greatness; Of his least creature A high angelic nature, Stature superb and bright completeness.
He sets to us no humble duty.
Each act that he would have us do Is haloed round with strangest beauty.