The Glory of Nature

If only once the chariot of the Morn
Had scatter'd from its wheels the twilight dun,
But once the unimaginable Sun
Flash'd godlike through perennial clouds forlorn,
And shown us Beauty for a moment born :

If only once blind eyes had seen the Spring
Waking among the triumphs of midnoon,
But once had seen the lovely Summer boon,
Pass by in state like a full robed king,
The waters dance, the woodlands laugh and sing :

If only once deaf ears had heard the joy
Of the wild birds, or morning breezes blowing,
Of silver fountains from their caverns flowing,
Or the deep-voiced rivers rolling by,
Then Night eternal fallen from the sky :

If only once weird Time had rent asunder
The curtain of the Clouds, and shown us Night
Climbing into the awful Infinite,
Those stairs whose steps are worlds above and under,
Glory on glory, wonder upon wonder !

If Lightnings lit the Earthquake on his way
But once, or Thunder spake unto the world ;
The realm-wide banners of the Wind unfurl'd ;
Earth-prison'd Fires broke loose into the day ;
Or the great Seas awoke — then slept for aye !

Ah ! sure the heart of Man too strongly tried
By godlike presences so vast and fair,
Withering in dread, or sick in love's despair,
Had wept for ever, and to Heaven cried,
Or struck with lightnings of delight had died.

But He though heir of immortality,
With mortal dust too feeble for the sight,
Draws through a veil God's overwhelming light —
Use arms the soul ; anon there moveth by
A more majestic Angel — and we die.