Creeds

                                   I.
     Why should the Soul be fettered by a Creed?
     Her mighty pinions, which were made to cope
     With Truth’s strong gale, be bounded to the scope
Of my one thought, or thine? why doomed to feed
On other’s crumbs, like beggars in their need,
     When bounteous Heaven hath spread an infinite board,
     And bid her to the supper of the Lord?
Wo! that when virgin souls bring forth their seed—
Great thoughts—the fallen Age’s new MESSIAHS,
     That Herod-sects should hunt the infant Word
     Till exiled Truth need fly their vengeful sword;
Wo! that the Soul must mourn her slain Desires—
     —Her high aspirings to the perfect life,
Smothered in narrow creeds and theologic strife.

                                   II.
     Men cannot cherish the high thoughts, which come
     To take unbegg’d possession of the heart,
     Till they have driven thence its studied part;
To Truth’s bold utterance will their tongues be dumb,
Ere wholly cleansed from the unsating scum
     Of the Schools’ ferment. Not in labored art
     Heaven’s road is paven, nor by map and chart,
Drawn by the many, seeks the Soul her home;
But in her own divine omnipotence,—
     And by the light which is her life from God,—
On ancient Darkness is her bold advance,
     Star-like and lovely, shedding sparks abroad,
To kindle sister souls, till all unite
Around the throne of Heaven, a galaxy of white!