Page:The poems of Richard Watson Gilder, Gilder, 1908.djvu/400

372 He wills not to make plain His character

And mode of government; witness through time

A thousand gods, religions without end,

Each in some souls,—all reverent and sincere,—

Supreme, unquestioned; gods that grimly held

Races and ages round about their thrones.

"Your very doubt creates a mighty Power,

Invisible, yet having human traits,

And Him you judge with your sole, finite mind—

You doubt, you dread, you trouble your sad soul.

Were it not best to follow those twin stars

Which light each mortal path: the double stars

Of Love and Duty? If by these you walk

(This has been proved), a solace shall arrive—

A noble solace, a majestic joy.

Whatever of life is worthy of the soul

Then shall be yours. Disdain, disdain all else!"

LAW