I bring to men the fine ideal stuff The young gods took to build the spheres of old: The fire I send on men is great enough To burn the iron kingdoms into gold. I hold the way until the bright heavens bend— Until the New Republic shall arise, And quick young deities again descend, Bringing the gifts of God with joyous cries. I lead the Graces and the Wingèd Powers: The world the Anarchs build I will destroy, For I will storm upon its demon towers, With wind of laughter and with rain of joy. And at the first break of my Social Song A hush will fall upon the foolish strife, As though a joyous god, serene and strong, Shined suddenly before the steps of life. Cold hearts that falter are my only bar: Heroes that seek my ever-fading goal Must take their reckoning from the central star, And follow the equator: I am Soul. My love is higher than heavens where Taurus wheels, My love is deeper than the pillared skies: High as that peak in Heaven where Milton kneels, Deep as that grave in Hell where Cæsar lies. Still hope for man: my star is on the way! Great Hugo saw it from his prison isle; It lit the mighty dream of Lamennais; It led the ocean thunders of Carlyle. Wise Greeley saw the star of my desire, Wise Lincoln knelt before my hidden flame: It was from me they drew their sacred fire— I am Religion by her deeper name. A Blossoming Bough A blossoming bough against the sky, And all my blood is aleap with life, As though glad violins went by In wild delicious strife! And the Suisun Hills again are green! And I am a boy in the canyons deep, Where the gray sycamores flicker and lean, And waters plunge and sleep. A light, quick wind blows into my heart, Faint with the breath of apple trees; And my lyric lark is back with a start— And orchards like white seas! Kyka Child-heart! Wild heart! What can I bring you, What can I sing you, You who have come from a glory afar, Called into Time from a secret star? Fleet one! Sweet one! Whose was the wild hand Shaped you in child-land, Framing the flesh with a flash of desire, Pouring the soul as a fearful fire?