Part 4 (2/2)

(He opens the Book, and perceives the sign of the Macrocosm.)

Ha! what a sudden rapture leaps from this I view, through all my senses swiftly flowing!

I feel a youthful, holy, vital bliss In every vein and fibre newly glowing.

Was it a G.o.d, who traced this sign, With calm across my tumult stealing, My troubled heart to joy unsealing, With impulse, mystic and divine, The powers of Nature here, around my path, revealing?

Am I a G.o.d?-so clear mine eyes!

In these pure features I behold Creative Nature to my soul unfold.

What says the sage, now first I recognize: ”The spirit-world no closures fasten; Thy sense is shut, thy heart is dead: Disciple, up! untiring, hasten To bathe thy breast in morning-red!”

(He contemplates the sign.)

How each the Whole its substance gives, Each in the other works and lives!

Like heavenly forces rising and descending, Their golden urns reciprocally lending, With wings that winnow blessing From Heaven through Earth I see them pressing, Filling the All with harmony unceasing!

How grand a show! but, ah! a show alone.

Thee, boundless Nature, how make thee my own?

Where you, ye beasts? Founts of all Being, s.h.i.+ning, Whereon hang Heaven's and Earth's desire, Whereto our withered hearts aspire,- Ye flow, ye feed: and am I vainly pining?

(He turns the leaves impatiently, and perceives the sign of the Earth-Spirit.)

How otherwise upon me works this sign!

Thou, Spirit of the Earth, art nearer: Even now my powers are loftier, clearer; I glow, as drunk with new-made wine: New strength and heart to meet the world incite me, The woe of earth, the bliss of earth, invite me, And though the shock of storms may smite me, No crash of s.h.i.+pwreck shall have power to fright me!

Clouds gather over me- The moon conceals her light- The lamp's extinguished!- Mists rise,-red, angry rays are darting Around my head!-There falls A horror from the vaulted roof, And seizes me!

I feel thy presence, Spirit I invoke!

Reveal thyself!

Ha! in my heart what rending stroke!

With new impulsion My senses heave in this convulsion!

I feel thee draw my heart, absorb, exhaust me: Thou must! thou must! and though my life it cost me!

(He seizes the book, and mysteriously p.r.o.nounces the sign of the Spirit. A ruddy flame flashes: the Spirit appears in the flame.)

SPIRIT

Who calls me?

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