Poems

<h4><SPAN name="THE_BEATIFIC_VISION" id="THE_BEATIFIC_VISION"></SPAN>THE BEATIFIC VISION</h4> <p>Then Bernard smiled at me, that I should gaze<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">But I had gazed already; caught the view,</span><br/> Faced the unfathomable ray of rays<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Which to itself and by itself is true.</span><br/> <br/> Then was my vision mightier than man's speech;<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Speech snapt before it like a flying spell;</span><br/> And memory and all that time can teach<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Before that splendid outrage failed and fell.</span><br/> <br/> As when one dreameth and remembereth not<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Waking, what were his pleasures or his pains,</span><br/> With every feature of the dream forgot,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">The printed passion of the dream remains:&mdash;</span><br/> <br/> Even such am I; within whose thoughts resides<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">No picture of that sight nor any part</span><br/> Nor any memory: in whom abides<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Only a happiness within the heart,</span><br/> <br/> A secret happiness that soaks the heart<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">As hills are soaked by slow unsealing snow,</span><br/> Or secret as that wind without a chart<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Whereon did the wild leaves of Sibyl go.</span><br/> <br/> O light uplifted from all mortal knowing,<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">Send back a little of that glimpse of thee.</span><br/> That of its glory I may kindle glowing<br/> <span style="margin-left: 2em;">One tiny spark for all men yet to be.</span><br/> <br/><br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />