Sonnet (Spirit of Thought)

Spirit of Thought! I own thy presence now,
     I feel thy influence stealing o’er my soul,
     Hushing each passion with thy mild control,
And with a deep and quiet joy, which thou
     Aye givest to thy votaries, filling up
The vacant places of a heart which long
Hath yearned for thee amid the thoughtless throng,
     Till Care hath wept above the grave of Hope.
Essence of mind etherial! thou hast given
     Lofty aspirings to my bettered spirit,
     Whispering of bliss that it may yet inherit
In the high regions of the viewless Heaven!
Light of the soul! though here thy rays are dim,
Thou art God’s gift to lead us up to Hum!