Here's the top-peak; the multitude below This man decided not to Live but Know Bury this man there? 140 Here-here's his place, where meteors shoot, clouds form, Lightnings are loosened, Stars come and go! Let joy break with the storm, Lofty designs must close in like effects: Leave him still loftier than the world suspects, 145 R. BROWNING. 347 PORPHYRIA'S LOVER The rain set early in to-night, She shut the cold out and the storm, 5 11 Her hat and let the damp hair fall, And, last, she sat down by my side And called me. When no voice replied, 15 She put my arm about her waist, And made her smooth white shoulder bare, And all her yellow hair displaced, And, stooping, made my cheek lie there, 20 To set its struggling passion free For love of her, and all in vain : So, she was come through wind and rain. Be sure I looked up at her eyes Happy and proud; at last I knew Made my heart swell, and still it grew A thing to do, and all her hair In one long yellow string I wound And I untightened next the tress About her neck; her cheek once more So glad it has its utmost will, That all it scorned at once is fled, And all night long we have not stirred, 25 31 35 40 45 50 55 60 348 RABBI BEN EZRA 1 Grow old along with me! The best is yet to be, The last of life, for which the first was made: Our times are in His hand Who saith A whole I planned, 5 Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!' 2 Not that, amassing flowers, Youth sighed Which rose make ours, Which lily leave and then as best recall? Not that, admiring stars, It yearned Nor Jove, nor Mars; 10 Mine be some figured flame which blends, transcends them all!' 3 Not for such hopes and fears Do I remonstrate: folly wide the mark! Rather I prize the doubt Low kinds exist without, Finished and finite clods, untroubled by a spark. 4 Poor vaunt of life indeed, Were man but formed to feed On joy, to solely seek and find and feast: Such feasting ended, then As sure an end to men ; 15 20 Irks care the crop-full bird? Frets doubt the maw-crammed beast? Rejoice we are allied 5 To That which doth provide And not partake, effect and not receive! A spark disturbs our clod; Nearer we hold of God 25 Who gives, than of His tribes that take, I must believe. 6 Then, welcome each rebuff That turns earth's smoothness rough, Strive, and hold cheap the strain ; 30 35 Learn, nor account the pang; dare, never grudge the throe! For thence, a paradox Which comforts while it mocks, Shall life succeed in that it seems to fail : What I aspired to be, And was not, comforts me : 40 A brute I might have been, but would not sink i̇' the scale. 8 What is he but a brute Whose flesh hath soul to suit, Whose spirit works lest arms and legs want play ? To man, propose this test Thy body at its best, 46 How far can that project thy soul on its lone way ? 9 Yet gifts should prove their use : I own the Past profuse Of power each side, perfection every turn : Eyes, ears took in their dole, Brain treasured up the whole; 50 Should not the heart beat once' How good to live and learn'? 10 Not once beat Praise be Thine! I see the whole design, I, who saw power, see now Love perfect too : Thanks that I was a man! 55 Maker, remake, complete,-I trust what Thou shalt do!' 11 For pleasant is this flesh; Pulled ever to the earth, still yearns for rest : To match those manifold 60 65 Possessions of the brute,-gain most, as we did best! 12 Let us not always say Spite of this flesh to-day I strove, made head, gained ground upon the whole !' As the bird wings and sings, 6 Let us cry All good things 70 Are ours, nor soul helps flesh more, now, than flesh helps soul!' 13 Therefore I summon age To grant youth's heritage, Life's struggle having so far reached its term: 75 Thence shall I pass, approved A man, for ay removed From the developed brute; a God though in the germ. 14 And I shall thereupon Once more on my adventure brave and new : Fearless and unperplexed, When I wage battle next, What weapons to select, what armour to indue. 80 |