No More Learning

The voice of God! "

"Not so," said a man.
"The voice of God whispers in the heart
"So softly
"That the soul pauses,
"Making no noise,
"And strives for these melodies,
"Distant, sighing, like faintest breath,
"And all the being is still to hear. "



XL

And you love me?

I love you.

You are, then, cold coward.

Aye; but, beloved,
When I strive to come to you,
Man's opinions, a thousand thickets,
My interwoven existence,
My life,
Caught in the stubble of the world
Like a tender veil,--
This stays me.
No strange move can I make
Without noise of tearing.
I dare not.

If love loves,
There is no world
Nor word.
All is lost
Save thought of love
And place to dream.
You love me?

I love you.

You are, then, cold coward.

Aye; but beloved--



XLI

Love walked alone.
The rocks cut her tender feet,
And the brambles tore her fair limbs.
There came a companion to her,
But, alas, he was no help,
For his name was Heart's Pain.



XLII

I walked in a desert.
And I cried,
"Ah, God, take me from this place! "
A voice said, "It is no desert. "
I cried, "Well, but--
"The sand, the heat, the vacant horizon. "
A voice said, "It is no desert. "



XLIII

There came whisperings in the winds
"Good bye! Good bye! "
Little voices called in the darkness:
"Good bye! Good bye! "
Then I stretched forth my arms.
"No--no--"
There came whisperings in the wind:
"Good bye! Good bye! "
Little voices called in the darkness:
"Good bye! Good bye!