| George William (“A. E.”) Russell (1867–1935). Collected Poems by A.E. 1913. |
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| 35. Symbolism |
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| NOW when the spirit in us wakes and broods, | |
| Filled with home yearnings, drowsily it flings | |
| From its deep heart high dreams and mystic moods, | |
| Mixed with the memory of the loved earth things: | |
| Clothing the vast with a familiar face; | 5 |
| Reaching its right hand forth to greet the starry race. | |
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| Wondrously near and clear the great warm fires | |
| Stare from the blue; so shows the cottage light | |
| To the field labourer whose heart desires | |
| The old folk by the nook, the welcome bright | 10 |
| From the house-wife long parted from at dawn— | |
| So the star villages in God’s great depths withdrawn. | |
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| Nearer to Thee, not by delusion led, | |
| Though there no house fires burn nor bright eyes gaze: | |
| We rise, but by the symbol charioted, | 15 |
| Through loved things rising up to Love’s own ways: | |
| By these the soul unto the vast has wings | |
| And sets the seal celestial on all mortal things. | |
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