Classic Poem

Mysterious Life! we speak as if we knew
What meant this vortex: Ah, what doth it mean?
A spirit of unrest is Life—hath been
Alluring made with many-tinted hue.
From darkest chasm it lifts man to a peak
Where he may see ideal flowers blow;
But as he learns to love them, it will show
Him other heights that he is forced to seek.
Enchantress, Disenchantress,—both in one!
Surrounding us to-day with dazzling light,
To-morrow hiding every ray of sun
Till we are sunk in the abyss of night.
The oracles are dumb: whate'er Life be,
Man walks by faith alone; he cannot see.