The Secret Splendour

I build Thee not on golden dreams

Nor on the wide world's winsomeness:

Deeper than all I set my love—

A faith that is foundationless!

Not only where Thy silver steps

Twinkle a night of nenuphars,

But everywhere I see Thy heaven:

I love the night between the stars.

O mine the smiling power to feel

A secret sun with blinded eyes.

And through a dreaming worship bear

 As benediction wintry skies.

For ever in my heart I hear

A time beat of eternal bliss.

White Omnipresence! where is fear?

The mouth of hell can be Thy kiss

The whole world is my resting-place:

 Thy beauty is my motherland:

Sweet enemies ax wounds of age—

My body breaks but by Thy hand.

Triumph is all—as though beneath

An unseen flag of raptures red

beating of great drums went on

With every giant drummer dead!

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