Page:The Soul of a Century.djvu/79

  Was concealed your pride unconscious, And this trait so poorly covered, My own vanity had tempted. Then my pride to earth had crumbled, Fell to naught before his greatness That knew not own worth or measure. Sir, believe me, ’twas a prayer That had from his eyes descended Like a call from depths abysmal. He was captivating, sire, Far more so, than others, master. And my soul steeped deeply, fully, In his soul, where it shall linger Evermore in love unending.

’Twas then it seems, that I began to weave A daring, never-ending dream of life. I felt so sweetly happy, yet so sad, It seemed that through a fog I visioned all, As in the fleeting moments, long ago While listening to father’s beating heart, And half in dream, I watched with keen intent The rising of the moon above the woods. My wondering eyes kept gazing high above Resting upon the blossoms on the tree, And higher, higher to the vaulting skies, My father once had likened to an oak. For from the birth of time it spreads above the earth Its endless, all-embracing leafy top Within whose branches nestles the golden bird Known as the ‘Sun’ by those who in the shade Of this eternal oak enjoy the fruits of life. Behold! Bright stars massed yonder in the sky, Words of surprise escaped my open lips When I beheld that rare, bewildering scene. Above my head a green star brightly shone; Twos fairer than it e’er seemed before, Glittered and then as quickly disappeared. I felt the star, an omen meant for me, Bowed low my head, and quietly returned. From that night onward I have sought to find