Page:The Dream of Pythagoras and Other Poems.djvu/37

 Thou hast the fount of life in thy own breast,

And need'st no guiding; be a child no longer;

Throw oif thy fetters, and with me enjoy

Thy native independence, and assert

Thy innate majesty; Truth binds not me,

And yet I am immortal; be thou, too,

A god unto thyself.'

"But I had learn 'd

My own deep insufficiency, and gazed

Indignant on th' unholy angel's face.

And pierced its false refulgence, knowing well

Obedience only is true Hberty

For spirits form'd to obey; so best they reign.

Straight the base rebel fled, and, rul'd by Truth,

I roll'd unerring on my shining road

Around a glorious centre; free, though bound,

Because love bound me, and my law became

My life and nature, and my lustrous orb

Pure spirits visited; I wore a light

That shone across infinitude, and serv'd

To guide returning wanderers. I sang

With all my starry sisters, and we danced

Around the throne of Time, and wash'd the base

Of high Eternity like golden sands.