I said I climbed upon a nervous stair Into the mind of God, Yet all the way I trod On air Because great Love upheld me there. I leaned and she resisted, gathering strength To toss me all that length Like some tall fountain-shower, And I have power To return again and water all the earth, Giving her second birth, Weaving her flesh, Meseems, Out of the mesh Of mind, After the fashion of immediate dreams, If I can find And force All Love into her proper course. With such support it is quite true There’s nothing that I cannot do. HERO Send me something I can see through. [_The shadow shifts to that of a bent old woman._] HERO Who are you? SHADOW I was old and perfect at the heart Ere human life could start. Before the mind conceived of life I was a wife. HERO [_Joyfully._] What are you good at? SHADOW I am a good thief. HERO How good are you? THIEF Joy in my heart grew strong and very bright, Luxuriantly fed in the light of stars, Planets, and suns, the speed of motor-cars, Fire’s untamed energy, the wireless might Of telepathy, that burns between the bars. I recognized her in the lofty spars Of the rigging, hailing land far out of sight, And as she leaned and peered entranced, I crept Into God’s mind, the while He slept, And stole it bit by bit away, And packed it in a brain of clay; But unaccustomed ripples broke On that calm surface. He awoke, And I, all trembling to depart, Was caught a prisoner in His heart. HERO You are good enough, If that’s the stuff Your mind is made on. Help her to climb higher, Otherwise she’ll tire, For she must be stayed on Such substantial matter If she’s to get fatter. THIEF Yes, but I need one to hold the rope At the other end, to give us both more scope. I need something full of joy. HERO Send me a boy. [_The shadow shifts to that of a boy, and leaps lightly about._] HERO Who are you? SHADOW [_Sings._] I am something always true. I don’t care twopence what they think; I know the sky is always blue, And the rest of life rose-pink. HERO [_Affectionately._]