The Secret Splendour

{There was a legend among the alchemists that the discovery of the elixir vitae would be proved by the form of a vaguely luminous rose floating up in the liquid.)

The swift soliloquy of a waterfall—

The passionate wide communion of seas—

Twilight's cool rain-blur heralding dark peace—

A lake's half-audible wind-quiver—all

Sound-flows of earth, immense or delicate,

I merge in a bowl of dream and, hushful, wait

Perfumes of Spirit borned upon world-voice ...

Glimmer, O Deep, a mystic petal-poise

Within my clouded crucible: O breath

Of God's calm rapture rooted beyond death,

Love's word that from the unknowable Silence came,

Upsurge in me: break through my hush your flame,

O perfect Rose of the eternal Name!

18.2.36

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