I

I have all appearances, and yet one form.
You shall never know me, if you know not to see unafraid.
From your house you see heaven through windows;
Come into the open; how now can you see the sky, without looking through glass?
Tear down your houses to find me;
I am under the cornerstone,
I am deep in the subsoil.
Build up your towers to find me;
I am where the spires point,
I am beyond their power of direction.
Seek, and you shall not find me,
For I come unannounced, unsuspected —
I am with you now;
Do you behold me?

Is there grass at your feet? I am in it;
I am in pavements of crowded streets.
I hide in shop windows
And sail across meadows and woods, flaunting.
I give shape to the people you brush in your living,
I give power to your enemies and love to your friends,
I animate you — do you behold me?
I have all appearances, and yet one form.

II

Cover me with bruises, pelt me with stones, flay me;
Drive me from your dwellings, spit upon me in your streets,
Name me with loathing.
I am among you; do you behold me?
Crowd by me, bustling; you have important affairs.
Wait, here's a lark! They are leading me captive;
Join with the mob that revile.
Meet me with force and with cunning, sweep to my friends with bribes,
Find my betrayer, make me bear my cross
To mine own burial.
Thus I shall know I am worthy,
Thus I shall win to survive.