(1844–1930). The Spirit of Man: An Anthology. 1916. From Piccolomini
O NEVER 1 rudely will I blame his faith In the might of stars and angels! ’Tis not merely The human being’s pride that peoples space With life and mystical predominance; Since likewise for the stricken heart of Love 5 This visible nature, and this common world Is all too narrow … For fable is Love’s world, his home, his birthplace: Delightedly dwells he mong fays and talismans, And spirits; and delightedly believes 10 Divinities, being himself divine. The intelligible forms of ancient poets, The fair humanities of old religion, The power, the beauty and the majesty That had their haunts in dale or piny mountain 15 Or forest, by slow stream or pebbly spring Or chasms and watery depths: all these have vanish’d, They live no longer in the faith of reason: But still the heart doth need a language, still Doth the old instinct bring back the old names; 20 And to yon starry world they now are gone, Spirits or gods, that used to share this earth With man as with their friend …
Note 1. forest in line 16. [back ]
