Sufficient she was there! I pushed my hair Back from my brow, and on my knees I went To catch her scent. Oh, it was joy I thought would never cloy! And God, who saw me on the grass beside That purple pride, Laughed softly to Himself, and said: “I knew She’d not resist My blue. Now I’ll be bound she’ll come again next year To find my fragrance here.” [_She continues with increasing animation, having quite lost all self-consciousness._] In very deed I came, But now a flame Of ultra-violet flickered on my thought. It wasn’t just the scent that brought Me back like that, nor yet the lovely blue; It was because I felt that God was true. And that was how, having had my attention called To something that came back and never palled, But seemed each year more lovely than the last, I passed To looking for the far-off deeper things That God had tucked behind the violet’s wings. I said to myself: “This is some sort of sign Of constancy divine, And I expect there must be some such mark Set on our ultimate dark; For we are all just one material here— My heart, the violet clear. [_Dreamily, to herself._] Oh! Isn’t it delightful thus to grow Together yet apart a little while? God needs this time to shape us to the style Of His eternity, as, strong and slow, The separate shadows of the flowery prime Become one purple deep at evening-time. [_She takes a violet in her hands and looks at it. To herself._] Here’s all the evidence of things unseen, Delicious substance of a life to be, Where maybe I’ll share His identity, And we’ll be One to all eternity. FINN What? CLIMBER [_Who has forgotten that she is not alone, blushing self-consciously and starting violently._] Nothing! It’s not Meant for you to hear. FINN Go on about next year. CLIMBER [_Very shyly, with averted face._] Well, in the spring I came, with joyous thirst, To find the violet where I found her first; Till, kneeling there one day, I felt my heart Quicken and start, And pushing back the lid, to look within, I saw a thin Long tongue of lavender amid the red, And God knelt there, and spread His strong white hands above the warm, bright stain, And laughed, and said: “I have found faith again On earth.” [_She pauses, and adds in a whisper._] But I, too much amazed for mirth, Could only gaze and stammer: “Sir, not yet, It was Your violet.” [_There is silence. The Climber remains with shy averted face._] FINN [_After an embarrassed pause._]