A breath went through the Universe, and shook
All things to music, and a mighty voice
Roll'd upward like a psalm, and whisper'd, 'Take
The task of poet, and be half a god.'
Then soft, as when an angel's folding wing
Stirs the rich calm of Paradise, a power
Came in upon me, and my heart grew warm,
And I became a poet, and was crown'd.
Then life rose up to myriad forms of use,
And love was at the birth of each; and I,
Who look'd not with the look of common men,
But with far other vision, sang their faiths
To cheer my fellows—not in songs of dim
And cunning music, but all high and clear,
As fit for toiling lips; for so the gods
Had will'd it when their shadows fell on me.
I sang the world, with its burst of thought
And ever-toiling sinews, in whose strength
Lay hid those miracles that yet would be
When Time from out the years would raise his hand,
And bid them spread their wonders. Then I touch'd
The coming splendour of a brotherhood
Wide as the sunlight, 'neath whose radiance men
Would cry for fellowship, and fight with hate
And envy, and from out the world's great fields
Root war for ever, and within their soil
Plant peace and harvests waving wide for all.
I went with Science and her giant train
Of Titan working things, and I became
Firm in their strength, and taught it to my kind
As best, but Labour next (for Labour still
Is the true crown of manhood), and I link'd
To such brown dignity the noblest use
That hearts can rise to when their pulses beat
With love and wisdom. Thus I sang, and as
The years came onward, still within me grew
The power of words, whose cunning, spreading out,
Made me an empire in the human breast,
And in all climes and tongues, and I became
Firm in my task and office, till at last
A voice rose from the latest of my years—
'The mission finish'd, all the grosser dies,
And rounds to dust and ashes.' Then methought
The mould of clay shrunk from my purer shape,
And I was free in space; but, as I paused
Half-way to heaven, with all the gods in view,
And the cool laurel on my brow, I turn'd,
And gave my spirit to my fellow-men.