Who would know the God in man. 
Deeper still must be his glance. 
Veil on veil his eye must scan
For the mystic signs which tell
If the fire electric fell
On the seer in his trance: 
As his way he upward wings
From all time-encircled things,
Flames the glory round his head
Like a bird with wings outspread. 
Gold and silver plumes at rest: 
Such a shadowy shining crest
Round the hero’s head reveals him
To the soul that would adore,
As the master-power that heals him
And the fount of secret lore. 
Nature such a diadem
Places on her royal line,
Every eye that looks on them
Knows the Sons of the Divine.

—­April 15, 1896

The Protest of Love “Those who there take refuge nevermore return.”—­Bhagavad Gita

Ere I lose myself in the vastness and drowse myself with the peace,
While I gaze on the light and beauty afar from the dim homes of men,
May I still feel the heart-pang and pity, love-ties that I would
        not release,
May the voices of sorrow appealing call me back to their succour again.

Ere I storm with the tempest of power the thrones and dominions
        of old,
Ere the ancient enchantment allures me to roam through the star-
        misty skies,
I would go forth as one who has reaped well what harvest the earth
        may unfold: 
May my heart be o’erbrimmed with compassion, on my brow be the
        crown of the wise.

I would go as the dove from the ark sent forth with wishes and prayers
To return with the paradise-blossoms that bloom in the eden of light: 
When the deep star-chant of the seraphs I hear in the mystical airs
May I capture one tone of their joy for the sad ones discrowned
        in the night.

Not alone, not alone would I go to my rest in the Heart of the Love: 
Were I tranced in the innermost beauty, the flame of its tenderest breath,
I would still hear the plaint of the fallen recalling me back from above
To go down to the side of the mourners who weep in the shadow of death.

—­May 15, 1896

The King Initiate “They took Iesous and scourged him.”—­St. John

Age after age the world has wept
        A joy supreme—­I saw the hands
Whose fiery radiations swept
        And burned away his earthly bands: 
And where they smote the living dyes
Flashed like the plumes of paradise.

Their joys the heavy nations hush—­
        A form of purple glory rose
Crowned with such rays of light as flush
        The white peaks on their towering snows: 
It held the magic wand that gave
Rule over earth, air, fire and wave.

What sorrow makes the white cheeks wet: 
        The mystic cross looms shadowy dim—­
There where the fourfold powers have met
        And poured their living tides through him,
The Son who hides his radiant crest
To the dark Father’s bosom pressed.