Captive, see what stars give light
In the hidden heart of clay:
At their radiance dark and bright
Fades the dreamy King of Day.
We complain of conditions, but this very imperfection it is which
urges us to arise and seek for the Isles of the Immortals. What we lack
recalls the fullness. The soul has seen a brighter day than this and a
sun which never sets. Hence the retrospect: "Thou hast been in Eden
the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering, the sardius,
topaz, and the diamond, the beryl, the onyx, the jasper, the sapphire,
emerald.... Thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up
and down in the midst of the stones of fire." We would point out these
radiant avenues of return; but sometimes we feel in our hearts that
we sound but cockney voices as guides amid the ancient temples, the
cyclopean crypts sanctified by the mysteries. To be intelligible we
replace the opalescent shining by the terms of the scientist, and we
prate of occult physiology in the same breath with the Most High. Yet
when the soul has the divine vision it knows not it has a body. Let it
remember, and the breath of glory kindles it no more; it is once again
a captive. After all it does not make the mysteries clearer to speak in
physical terms and do violence to our intuitions. If we ever use these
centres, as fires we shall see them, or they shall well up within us
as fountains of potent sound. We may satisfy people's mind with a
sense correspondence, and their souls may yet hold aloof. We shall only
inspire by the magic of a superior beauty. Yet this too has its dangers.
"Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness," continues
the seer. If we follow too much the elusive beauty of form we will miss
the spirit. The last secrets are for those who translate vision into
being. Does the glory fade away before you? Say truly in your heart,
"I care not. I will wear the robes I am endowed with today." You are
already become beautiful, being beyond desire and free.
Night and day no more eclipse
Friendly eyes that on us shine,
Speech from old familiar lips.
Playmates of a youth divine.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account