CAN it be! of stars the star,Do I press thee to my heart?
In the night of distance far,What deep gulf, what bitter smart!
Yes, 'tis thou, indeed, at last,Of my joys the partner dear!
Mindful, though, of sorrows past,I the present needs must fear.
When the still-unfashion'd earthLay on God's eternal breast, He ordain'd its hour of birth,With creative joy possess'd.
Then a heavy sigh arose,When He spake the sentence:--"Be!"And the All, with mighty throes,Burst into reality.
And when thus was born the light,Darkness near it fear'd to stay, And the elements with mightFled on every side away;Each on some far-distant trace,Each with visions wild employ, Numb, in boundless realm of space,Harmony and feeling-void.
Dumb was all, all still and dead,For the first time, God alone!
Then He form'd the morning-red,Which soon made its kindness known:
It unravelled from the waste,Bright and glowing harmony, And once more with love was grac'dWhat contended formerly.
And with earnest, noble strife,Each its own Peculiar sought;Back to full, unbounded lifeSight and feeling soon were brought.
Wherefore, if 'tis done, exploreHow? why give the manner, name?
Allah need create no more,We his world ourselves can frame.
So, with morning pinions bright,To thy mouth was I impell'd;Stamped with thousand seals by night,Star-clear is the bond fast held.
Paragons on earth are weBoth of grief and joy sublime, And a second sentence:--"Be!"Parts us not a second time.
1815.
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