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Poem by Philip James Bailey
Festus - 18.2
Student. Yes! Experience of an age may yield an hour's Contentment; of an hour, an age's awe. Festus. 'Tis nature's silent miracles most convince, Most bless, most elevate the soul. Helen. And yet While doubtless, these experiences the passed And present tend to reconcile with ends Future, still much inexplicable remains Of ordinary existence, and the fates Suffered in soul, in person, here. Student. Perchance We expiate here in pains, faults of passed lives, And all our joys are but rewards. Festus. It may be. We meet with mysteries everywhere in life, That, could we solve!--as oft, from tide--stormed crag, Some desperate rock, surge--hounded, that, at bay, Faces his white--jawed foes, a wave--path, clear Mid ruffling seas, scarce tremulous, we discern, Seeming significative; which neither knows Beginning of extension, nor fixed end; Which marches not with cliff on high, nor reef Below; to no cloud answers; no vague keel Cut accidently; nor desultory gust Scored; but aye exquisite to the wondering eye, Searchful of all substantive cause,--so close To the secret truth we burn once,--keeps in calm Tenacity, its unfathomed force of form; Until, the gaze glanced off, tired, or divert Casually, we miss, nor ever can regrasp The grand identity; so, too, mid the world We trace, we think, at times, God's ways, the more Pondered, the plainlier manifest; but through Fatuity, or mere mutable conceit, Faith's failure, or, what not? we lose in life's Wide weltering waste the track, which followed, might Have led, if not to perfectness, to peace. Helen. Methinks I too have missed this perfect way; Else wherefore am I troubled this to know, Or that, when knowing is so vastlier less Than being? And can it be, I am being here Tested and proved, through life? Cares great, cares small, Indifferent, trusted to me hour by hour, And note of treatment taken? It cannot be. And yet it may. One's faith indeed so warns, It is. Who sins against his better light Sins sadly. Still the sense oppresses me Of life so cast. Student. Nay, here are twain will vouch Thy perfectness at least: and 'gainst all comers. Helen. Hush! seest thou none beside thee? Festus. Who is here? I parted from thee but an hour since. Student. I But an hour since parted from thee. Festus. Why so soon? Lucifer. So soon? I have traversed earth. Festus. Ah! good. No more. Let us within, friends. Soon the stars and dews Will take our places. Pray, precede, dear Helen. Enchant--thou canst--thy company--so that me They miss not for an hour or twain. Helen. But how Deceive myself? Festus. Forget me, too. Helen. That word Deserves no answer. Student. None? Festus. Adieu. Helen. Be sure When next we meet, we'll be less grave. Student. Meanwhile To tasks beneficent, Festus, thou and I Reserved, let haste. Oh, earth is ripening fast But hiddenly to happier ends than e'er Saint, social seer, or politic sage hath hoped: One brief creed, simple and of necessity true; One moral code, in every land the same, Which, justice realised, shall be each man's good, And all men's joy; one law, one general rule; The world one state, and peace perpetual. Marian. Heaven Grant it may be. Festus. I come. Good friend; do thou The requisite dispositions to these ends Prepare. I follow. Student. I obey. Festus. And now;-- Wherefore hast sought me here? Lucifer. This but to say; Summoned to farthest space for a time, I come, Hail and farewell to bid thee. Festus. Nay, not thus Part we. I would with thee. Lucifer. Reflect. Festus. I do. I would see heaven. Lucifer. Behold. Festus. Would enter heaven. Lucifer. Retire into thyself. Festus. I would see God. Lucifer. He is the Invisible. Festus. And I? Lucifer. Thou art The insatiable. Arise with me. Festus. I rise. Festus - 18.1
Philip James Bailey
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