Of Beauty

The convoluted wave, God's first sea-shell,
Upgathers now the deep's great harmonies;
From the far blue an Alp-like cloud doth well,
Baring its azured peaks to the heavenlies.
My spirit's outward bound, hath liberty!
Earnest as rising flame its young love burns
To catch the awesome gladness flowing free
O'er earth and sky as Beauty's face upturns.

O naught is great without thy effluence!
In curving billow's culminating sweep,
In mountain heights, the strength of grace is seen.
Essence divine, of God-like competence,--
Reposeful in the heart of things as sleep!
Robed in the purple, sceptred, throned a queen!