OH, thy bright eyes must answer now, When Reason, with a scornful brow, Is mocking at my overthrow ! Oh, thy sweet tongue must plead for me And tell why I have chosen thee ! Stern Reason is to judgment come, Arrayed in all her forms of gloom : Wilt thou, my advocate, be dumb ? No, radiant angel, speak and say Why I did cast the world away,— Why I have persevered to shun The common paths that others run ;
And on a strange road journeyed on,
Heedless, alike of wealth and power — Of glory's wreath and pleasure's flower.
These, once, indeed, seemed Beings Divine ;
And they, perchance, heard vows of mine,
And saw my offerings on their shrine ;
But careless gifts are seldom prized,
And mine were worthily despised.
So, with a ready heart,
I swore To seek their altar-stone no more ;
And gave my spirit to adore Thee, ever-present, phantom thing— My slave, my comrade, and my king.
A slave, because I rule thee still ;
Incline thee to my changeful will,
And make thy influence good or ill :
A comrade, for by day and night Thou art my intimate delight,— My darling pain that wounds and sears,
And wrings a blessing out from tears By deadening me to earthly cares ;
And yet, a king, though Prudence well Have taught thy subject to rebel.
And am I wrong to worship where Faith cannot doubt, nor hope despair,
Since my own soul can grant my prayer ?
Speak,
God of visions, plead for me,
And tell why I have chosen thee !
