Page:The ascent of man by Blind, Mathilde.djvu/39

 No longer Nature's thrall,
 * Man builds the city wall

That shall withstand her league of levelling storms;
 * He builds tremendous tombs
 * Where, hid in hoarded glooms,

His dead defy corruption with her worms: High towers he rears and bulks of glowing stone, Where the king rules upon a golden throne.


 * Creature of hopes and fears.
 * Of mirth and many tears,

He makes himself a thousand costly altars.
 * Whence smoke of sacrifice,
 * Fragrant with myrrh and spice,

Ascends to heaven as the flame leaps and falters; Where, like a king above the Cloud control, God sits enthroned and rules Man's subject soul.