Walking today by a cottage I shed tears
When I remembered how once I had walked there
With my friends who are mortal and dead. Years
Little had healed the wound that was laid bare.
Out little spear that stabs! I, fool, believed
I had outgrown the local, unique sting,
I had transmuted wholly (I was deceived)
Into Love universal the lov'd thing.
But Thou, Lord, surely knewest thine own plan
When the angelic indifferences with no bar
Universally loved, but Thou gav'st man
The tether and pang of the particular,
Which, like a chemic drop, infinitesimal,
Plushed into pure water, changing the whole,
Embodies and embitters and turns all
Spirit's sweet water into astringent soul,
That we, though small, might quiver with fire's same
Substantial form as Thou - not reflect merely
Like lunar angels back to Thee cold flame.
Gods are we, Thou hast said; and we pay dearly.
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