IV.

Alas! such faith to men denied who grope Half in a fear begotten not of love, Half in cold doubt, seeking all things to prove, To none hold fast, with whom divinest hope Holds naught more excellent than earth’s to-days; For whom in vain doth Israel’s lily bloom, With its white sunshine lighting hours of gloom, Shining 'mid thorns that seek to crush its grace— So dimming the broad rays of love divine With earthly shadow cast on earthly things That folded keep their gift of heavenly wings, Lest, soaring, they lose sight of lesser shrine Lest, heart so kindling with the Spirit’s fire, Feet lowly tread that eyes be lifted higher.