From above, around, and under
Greets us wonder upon wonder,
And the spirits of the timid shrink in awe,
While the juggling priests of error
Shape the mystery to a terror,
These with fiery scourge subduing to their law.
But the cool, gray eye of Science,
Deep and still, with calm defiance
Holds the spectres of the darkness in their spell,
Till their lips reluctant, utter
All their secret, ‘mid the mutter
Of their baffled ravens, croaking, “Death! and Hell!”
“Spare your menace!” say the sages;
“Haunt the graves of buried ages –
Black-plumed creatures of ill-omen — for your prey!
Fearless of your venomed stigma,
We will read the sphinx-enigma,
And the veil of brooding Isis rend away!
“Every crypt that hides a wonder,
Every dim, uncertain yonder,
Shall its utmost fact surrender to the seer:
All the deeps of darkness – spurning
Coward souls, and undiscerning –
Give frank welcome to the Seeker void of fear.
“Pallid, nebulous intuitions,
Yearnings that defy perditions,
Glimpses that the feeble shudder to pursue,
Tempt the daring to assay them,
And with golden truths repay them,
Opening heavens and deeps the timid never knew.
“Tell us not of lore forbidden.
Wisdom’s children rove unchidden
Through her treasure-house of secrets, to explore;
And she laughs to hear the leaping
Of harsh bolts that had in keeping
Thoughts that make the wide world richer than before.
“Flames of hell grow weak and weaker,
Fear no longer haunts the Seeker,
Who pursues his way, rejoicing as he speeds:
Love – the God in whom his trust is –
Stands revealed as highest Justice,
And dethrones the hallowed Vengeance of the creeds!”
Unawed Truth-Seekers