BENEATH the full-eyed Syrian moon, The Patriarch, lost in reverence, raised His consecrated head, and soon He knelt, and worshipped while he gazed: "Surely that glorious Orb on high Must be the Lord of earth and sky!" Slowly towards its central throne The glory rose, yet paused not there, But seemed by influence not its own Drawn downwards through the western air, Until it wholly sunk away, And the soft Stars had all the sway. Then to that hierarchy of light, With face upturned the sage remained, -- "At least Ye stand for ever bright, -- Your power has never waxed or waned!" Even while he spoke, their work was done, Drowned in the overflowing Sun. Eastward he bent his eager eyes -- "Creatures of Night! false Gods and frail! Take not the worship of the wise, @3There@1 is the Deity we hail; Fountain of light, and warmth, and love, @3He@1 only bears our hearts above." Yet was that One -- that radiant One, Who seemed so absolute a King, Only ordained his round to run, And pass like each created thing; He rested not in noonday prime, But fell beneath the strength of time. Then like one labouring without hope To bring his toil to fruitful end, And powerless to discern the scope Whereto his aspirations tend, Still Abraham prayed by night and day -- "God! teach me to what God to pray!" Nor long in vain; an inward Light Arose to which the Sun is pale, The knowledge of the Infinite, The sense of Truth that must prevail; -- The presence of the only Lord By angels and by men adored. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONG OF THE OPEN COUNTRY by DOROTHY PARKER A SENSE OF DIRECTION by KAREN SWENSON IN A CUBAN GARDEN by SARA TEASDALE THE ROSE AND THORN by PAUL HAMILTON HAYNE THE SONG OF HIAWATHA: HIAWATHA'S WOOING by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW MONNA INNOMINATA, A SONNET OF SONNETS: 5 by CHRISTINA GEORGINA ROSSETTI |