THE solemn wood had spread Shadows around my head; "Curtains they are," I said, "Hung dim and still about the house of prayer." Softly among the limbs, Turning the leaves of hymns, I heard the winds, and asked if God were there. No voice replied, but while I listening stood, Sweet peace made holy hushes through the wood. With ruddy, open hand, I saw the wild rose stand Beside the green gate of the summer hills; And pulling at her dress, I cried, "Sweet hermitess, Hast thou beheld Him who the dew distills?" No voice replied, but while I listening bent, Her gracious beauty made my heart content. The moon in splendor shone; "She walketh heaven alone, And seeth all things," to myself I mused; "Hast thou beheld Him, then, Who hides Himself from men In that great power through nature interfused?" No speech made answer, and no sign appeared, But in the silence I was soothed and cheered. Waking one time, strange awe Thrilling my soul, I saw A kingly splendor round about the night; Such cunning work the hand Of spinner never planned, -- The finest wool may not be washed so white. "Hast thou come out of heaven?" I asked; and lo! The snow was all the answer of the snow. Then my heart said, "Give o'er; Question no more, no more! The wind, the snow-storm, the wild hermit flower, The illuminated air, The pleasure after prayer, Proclaim the unoriginated Power! The mystery that hides Him here and there, Bears the sure witness He is everywhere." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO A FRIEND I CAN'T FIND by JAMES GALVIN TO A REPUBLICAN FRIEND, 1848 by MATTHEW ARNOLD THYESTES, ACT 2: CHORUS by LUCIUS ANNAEUS SENECA KIT CARSON'S RIDE by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER THE MAHOGANY TREE by WILLIAM MAKEPEACE THACKERAY |