The large, far intent
Of the Kingly One
Is only begun
In rearing the tent;
To nurture a soul
Is the shining goal.
Keen science speaketh
A word clear and fair
"The carbon in air
The young oak seeketh
In the greening years,
Lo, a giant appears!
"Shelter and warmth, see!
Here final cause
Of nature's wise laws;
And the breath of the tree
Is life unto man
And lengthens his span.'
But the Chemist who moves
The atoms in dance,
His all-seeing glance
By His working proves,—
From far-off to nigher,
Feeds life that is higher.
From blade to full ear,
From acorn to beam,
Unfoldings of dream,
Linkëd series of cheer,
Evolvings of grace,
Shadows bright of His face!
Sweet procession and slow,
Every step of the way
More precious each day,
Till the starlit airs blow,
Wake emotion that sleeps,
Stir the fount of the deeps.
O heaven's own fact
Eternal, that beauty,
As the sword on duty,
Hangs silent on act
Of nature forever,—
Soul and body together!
Nature, series divine
Of act and of word
From God's mouth seen or heard!
As thou bring'st bread and wine
I hear thy deep tone,
"O not these alone!"
All-divine unity!
Writes the heaven-touched mind
Responsive, once blind:
All-divine harmony!
Emotion's attest
In the glow of my breast.