The Celestial Passion

THE CELESTIAL PASSION. O WHITE and midnight sky, O starry bath, Wash me in thy pure, heavenly, crystal flood; Cleanse me, ye stars, from earthly soil and scath — Let not one taint remain in spirit or blood! Receive my soul, ye burning, awful deeps; Touch and baptize me with the mighty power That in ye thrills, while the dark planet sleeps; Make me all yours for one blest, secret hour! O glittering host, O high angelic choir, Silence each tone that with thy music jars; Fill me even as an urn with thy white fire Till all I am is kindred to the stars! Make me thy child, thou infinite, holy night,— So shall my days be full of heavenly light! PART I. ART AND LIFE. SAID the Poet unto the Seer, How shall I learn to tell What I know of Heaven and Hell? I speak, but to ashes turn The passions that in me burn. I shout to the skies, but I hear No answer from man or God. Shall I throw my lyre on the sod, Rest, and give over the strife, And sink in a voiceless life?