The Secret Splendour

O Love, O Lustre

O Love, O Lustre,

Downward flow—

Now stormy, now tranquil,

But never slow—

For little is our time here,

And it only grows great

If filled by your splendour's

Wonderful weight.

A burden of beauty,

Your smiling power

 Breaks open the secret

Heaven of each hour —

Your reverie presses

Our feet of clay

 To grip forever

Some deathless way!

Brim my whole body

 Right up to the brain

Till the gathering god head

Flows over to stain,

With hues of rapture

You bring from above,

My outermost manhood—

 O Lustre, O Love!

1946

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