Crowning Love

Am I not very part of thee, O Sweet,
Even as a soul is part of the great sun?
In days before I knew thee, life had run
AVith me to barren wastefulness; no heat
Informed my days: I only heard the beat
Of Death's dull sea no traveller may shun, —
I did not fear to meet it, being as one
Who goes with head downcast and flagging feet;

When, lo, between me and Death's wave a light,
A sudden heat and splendor in the air!
Thy soul from far caught the importunate prayer
For dawn of one who wrestled with the night;
And, as mine eyes, my soul had instant sight
Of things divine and strange, for Thou wert there.